
Class. 



Book_._. 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



CojapiiipKTO op 



$ee page 




HUME & PARKER, Booksellers and Stationers, 104 Main St., NORFOLK, VA. 



THE UPSHUR 





NORFOLK, VA. 

Manufacturers of High Grade Fertilizers, suited to every crop. Amongst others 
the Celebrated GOLD MEDAL Brand of 

Bone and Peruvian, 

which remains unrivalled as the Best Fertilizer for COTTON, TOBACCO, CORN 

and WHEAT. Also, 

"NEW ERA" Champion Guano, 
"ROYAL" Ammoniated Super-Phosphate, 
"EXCELSIOR" Peanut Cuano, 

"EXCELSIOR" Potato Guano (8 per cent. Ammonia.) 




IMPORTERS OF PERUVIAN GUANO, KAINIT, ACID PHOSPHATE. 

We keep on hand all kinds of Fertilizing: Material and Chemicals. The officers of the 
Company are as follows: Walter F. Irvine. President: Frank E. W ilcox, Secretary , Uas- 
SErrA Marsden, Treasurer; Manager and Superintendent at Factory, K. U bALNDEKs. 

Analysis and Purity of all goods sold by us is guaranteed. Address 



P. O. BOX 355. 



UPSHUR GUANO CO., 
156 Main St.. Norfolk, Va, 



IL 







^€fe 



General and Commercial Guide 



TO 



NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH 



lU-USTRATCIl 



Can? M. 3ones, proprietor anfc publisher. 
€bwart> pollock, j£fcitor. 




^ 







flllli 





.V 



>p- 




Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1886, 

By CARY W. JONES, Norfolk, Va 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



^4* 



Pollock & Barcroft's Steam Presses. 



PREFACE. 



To thousands of readers in different parts of the country, this volume will 
he recognized— perhaps it may he welcomed also — as an old friend under a 
new name. 

• Its predecessor, "Norfolk as a Business Centre," ran successfully through 
four editions, as merely a private enterprise. The present work goes forth 
as the authorized organ, so to speak, of the enterprising and 'public-spirited 
firms, corporations and individuals to whose rapacity and energy are due 
the rapid progress made by the sister cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth to- 
wards commercial greatness, during the past twenty years. 

The principal Trades and Industries of the two Cities will be- found to 
be faithfully reviewed in the succeeding pages, which will contain also the 
announcements of the most successful and representative houses engaged in 
each. Many new and handsome illustrations are scattered through the vol- 
ume, in addition to many others which have become familiar by previous 
use. 

The Publisher takes this opportunity of extending his best thanks to the 
many friends who. by their wise counsel, kindly encouragement ami mate 
rial support, have enabled him to overcome the many obstacles with which he 
was confronted, and to express his earnest hopethat great and permanent 
benefit may accrue to the community as the direct res//// of his labor. 



NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH, 

/flSTOR>ICAL SKETChf. 



[INTRODUCTION. 

ORD BACON, in his classification of learning, assigns to History 
everything that_is related ^immediately to the memory: "I 

would thus include," he says, "all the particular facts and events 
that are known by the senses, as distinguished from Philosophy, which is 
the sum of the general and necessary truths that are known by the reason, 
and from Poetry which treats the realm of the imagination." In presi nt- 
ing to our readers an Historical Sketch of Norfolk and Portsmouth, our 
space will not permit us to use the adjective with the comprehensive 
definition of Lord Bacon, but simply to give a brief description of the 
establishment, settlement and growth of this great seaport, from the time 
of its foundation, in 1682, until the present date, 1886. 

The history of Norfolk and Portsmouth, as of every other American 
town or city, is inseparable, in its early pages, from that of the whole 
Northern American Continent, which, at the time of its first settlement, 
went under the general name of Virginia. As the vast extent of the 
Continent began to be appreciated, it was found expedient to divide it into 
two sections — North Virginia and South Virginia, — the former embracing 
all the discovered territory lying to the northward of the entrance to 
Chesapeake Bay, and the latter extending southerly from the same poinl 
as far as the Cape of Florida. 

EARLY DAYS. 

In 1553, Sir Walter Raleigh, "that great ornament to the British 
nation," fitted out an expedition to America, but, being prevente 1 by an 
accident from undertaking the voyage in person, he gave the command to 
his half-brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, who, armed with a patent from 
Queen Elizabeth, authorizing him to "explore and appropriate remote and 
barbarous lands, unoccupied by Christian powers, and to hold them as 



6 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

feoffs or estates of the Crown," sailed from Plymouth, in June of the same 
year, with five ships, and in due time reached Newfoundland, which he 
took possession of in the name of the Queen. 

One of his vessels had turned back when only two days out; another 
was abandoned at Newfoundland, and a third was lost, with nearly one 
hundred men; and Sir Humphrey himself, during the voyage home, went 
down in one of the remaining two. Raleigh, however, was not discour- 
aged, but, obtaining a more extensive patent, on March 25th, 1584, 
together with the title of "Lord Proprietor" over the whole American 
Continent, sent out a second expedition, consisting of two ships, commanded 
respectively by the nautical adventurers Philip Amidas and Arthur 
Barlow, who landed on Roanoke Island, now a part of North Carolina, on 
the 13th day of the following July, and immediately opened commercial 
negotiations with the neighbouring tribes of Indians. The result 




ENTRANCE TO NORFOLK HARBOR IN 186?. 

proved most profitable to the English commanders, who returned home 
with glowing accounts of their discoveries. Then it was that the gallant 
Raleigh bestowed upon the Colony the name of VIRGINIA, in honor of 
England's Virgin Queen, who, in her turn, conferred upon Raleigh the 
distinction of Knighthood. 

In 1585, Raleigh fitted out a fleet of seven ships, which left the harbor 
of Plymouth on the 9th of April of that year, with one hundred and 
eighty colonists for the coast of Virginia. Sir Richard Grenville was 
commander of the squadron and Ralph Lane accompanied it as Governor 
of the colony, with Amidas as his assistant. Thomas Harriot, an eminent 
mathematician and astronomer, also accompanied the expedition. Gren- 
ville, instead of sailing at once for the colony, cruised along the West 
Indies, preying upon the rich Spanish merchantmen, and thus engendered 
among the colonists a spirit ill calculated to educate them for peaceful 
tillers of the soil, and delayed their arrival on the American coast until 



TO NORFOLK ami PORTSMOUTH. 



late in June, when they barely escaped shipwreck on a point of land 
which, from that circumstance, was named Cape Fear. After weathering 
this point, they reached, by sailing up the coast, O'cracoke Inlet and 
landed on Roanoke Island. Harriot had been Kaleigh's tutor in mathe- 
matics, and, being deeply interested in the results of the expedition, did all 
he could to restrain the avarice of the colonists, who were more anxious 
to secure gold and plunder than to make a peaceful settlement of the soil. 
But Harriot could not control the passions of Governor Lane and the 




•OLD ST. PAUL'S." 

other colonists, and dissensions arose between them and the natives. Gov. 
Lane, thinking that there was a conspiracy to destroy his colony, invited 
the King of the natives, Wingina, and his chiefs to a conference. They 
came, without weapons, and, at a preconcerted signal, Lane and his men 
fell upon them, and murdered them all in cold blood. This made enemies 
of those natives who before were friends, and each party stood on the 
defensive. The English, their supplies exhausted, could only depend on 
the woods and waters for a precarious subsistence, and the arrival of Sir 
Francis Drake, with his fleet, who took them back to England, was their 



\ . 



8 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL^ GUIDE 

only deliverance. Drake's ships were scarcely out of sight of the coast, 
before a vessel with supplies for the colony arrived, but, finding no one 
there, it returned to England. Lane and his associates having contracted 
a taste for smoking tobacco, which was common among the natives, carried 
a supply of it to England, and soon it became so popular that the demand 
was greater than the supply. 

• Referring to this remote period of Virginia's history, Col. Wm. Byrd, 
in his Westover Mmuscripts, quaintly remarks : "Amongst other Indian 
commodities, they brought over some of that bewitching vegetable, to- 
bacco, and, this being the firs£ that ever came to England, Sir Walter 
thought he could do no less than make a present of some of the brightest 
of it to his royal mistress for her own smoking. The Queen graciously 




UNITED STATES NAVAL HOSPITAL PORTSMOUTH. 

accepted of it, but, finding her stomach sicken after two or three whiffs, 
it was presently whispared by the Earl of Leicester's faction that Sir 
Walter had certainly poisoned her. But Her Majesty, soon recovering 
her disorder, obliged the Countess of Nottingham and all her maids to 
smoke a whole pipe out amongst them." 

It is said that Qoeen Elizabeth herself afterwards became enamored of 
the weed, and that on one occasion, while she was smoking, Raleigh made 
her a wager that he could tell the weight of the smoke that she puffed 
from her lips in a given time, The Queen accepted the wager, Raleigh 
weighed the tobacco he put into her pipe, and, after she had smoked it, 
weighed the ashes, and claimed as the weight of the smoke the difference 
between the two. The Queen acknowledged that she had lost, but insisted 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 9 

that he was the first alchemist who had turned smoke into gold. A 
modern chemist, however, would dispute the correctness of his test. 

Raleigh was not disheartened by his reverses, but the report of* his 
friend Harriot was so satisfactory that, in 1587, he sent out another 
colony under Governor John White, with a squadron of three ships, who 
sailed for Chesapeake Bay, where the Proprietor intended to establish a 
settlement. White reached Roanoke Island and found the fort built by 
Lane destroyed, and the huts overgrown with weeds and inhabited by deer. 




PLTROELL HOUSE, Ben. R. Brown & Co., Proprietors. 

While there, Manteo, a friendly native, came with his mother and relatives 
from Croatan Island and invited the visitors to his domain ; White took 
the opportunity to baptize Manteo, and conferred on him the title of Baron, 
and "Lord of Roanoke," the first and last peerage ever created within 
the borders of our Republic. 

Shortly afterwards White returned to England. He left as colonists 
89 men, 17 women and 2 children. One of these was his daughter, 
Eleanor, who had married Mr. Dare, one of the Governor's assistants. 
Mrs. Dare, about a month afcer her arrival, gave birth to the first child of 



10 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL filTDK 



English parents born in the New World, and called, her name Virginia, 
after the Province. Governor White carried back with him a quantity of 
potato plants, and, touching at Ireland, left there the germs of what has 
since become the staple crop of the Emerald Isle. When he reached Eng- 
land great excitement prevailed from the threatened invasion of the Span- 
iards, and it was not until April, 1588, that, by great exertion, Ealeigh 
was able to send White back with two ships loaded with supplies. In- 
stead of taking a straight course for Virginia, White cruised to secure 
Spanish plunder, and his vessels became so unseaworthy that he was com- 
pelled to return to England and it was not until 1590, that, with two 
ships, lie reached Roanoke Island, to find it deserted. What had become 
of the colonists is a mystery to this day. " Perhaps," says a writer, "The 
' Lord of Roanoke' had taken them to Croatan Island, and, twenty years 




THE WHARVES OF NORFOLK IN 1865. 

after, when Jamestown was settled, Virginia Dare was a fair young Indian 
Queen. Who can tell ? " 

Thus ended Sir Walter Raleigh's fruitless efforts to establish his colony 
of Virginia. He had spent £40,000, and at Queen Elizabeth's death, in 
1603, there was not, so far as is known, a single Englishman established in 
America. 

The gifted Raleigh had staked his all, his hopes of advancement and 
emolument, the smiles of his sovereign and the success of his life upon this, 
his gigantic effort to gain a footing in the " New World," to be called 
Virginia, in honor of his Queen. He failed, and his head was the price 
paid for his service. But the spirit of Raleigh animated others of his 
countrymen, and ten years after his death his scheme for colonizing 
Virginia was accomplished, and a settlement made at Jamestown. 

On the 19th of December. 1606, Captain Christopher Newport, with 
three small vessels and one hundred and five colonists, left England for 



TO NORFOLK AND I'ORTSMOUTIF. 



11 



the " New World." This was the first colony sent out by the London 
Company. They profited by the experience of former expeditions, and 
selected some score of farmers and mechanics to accompany the expedi- 
tion. Captain Newport, being unacquainted with the direct course, did 
not reach land until April, 1607, and while searching for Roanoke Island 
he encountered a severe storm, which compelled him to take refuge in 
Chesapeake Bay on the 26th of that month. Newport named the two 
headlands of this noble bay, capes Charles and Henri/, in honor of the two 
sons of his sovereign, James I., and from the comfortable harbor he 
found in the vast roadstead which flows into the bay opposite its mouth, 
he named the northern point "Point Comfort.'" After rounding this 
point he sighted a beautiful river, which, in honor of his King, he named 
the James. The fleet sailed up the river some distance, and on the 13th 




NORFOLK & WESTERN RAILROAD STATION". 

of May selected a site for the colony and began the settlement of dames- 
town. 

To Captain John Smith the success of this settlement is mainly duo. 
To his indomitable energy and wise policy the colony was indebted 
for its very existence during the troublous times of its early days, and 
his friendly acts towards the natives served him in the moment of peril 
when he was saved from instant death by Pocahontas. The history 
of this great man, the noblest type of the earliest settlers, is as familiar 
as household words, and needs no further notice at our hands. 

NORFOLK ESTABLISHED ASA TOWN. 

On the 8th of June, 1680, one hundred and eighty-eight years after the 
discovery of America, and seventy-three after the settlement of Jamestown, 
an Act of Assembly was passed which authorized the purchase of fifty 



12 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



acres of land for the town of Norfolk. In 1662, two hundred acres of the land 
now included in the city of Norfolk, belonged to Lewis Vandermull, who 
that year, sold it to Nicholas Wise, Sr., a shipwright. 

The act for the purchase of this land was called "an Act for co-habita- 
tiora and encouragement of trade and manufacture,'' and instructs that 
the price paid for "the land shalbe tenn thousand pounds of tob.icco and 
caske, which sum the owner or owners thereof shalbe and are hereby 
constrained to accept, take, and receive, as free and valueable price for 
the said land forever." This act assigned to any person who would 




BIRD'S EYE VIEW FROM CUSTOM HOUSE 

build a dwelling and warehouse upon it, half an acre of said land in fee 
simple, on payment to the county of one hundred pounds of tobacco and 
cask, the building to be commenced within three months after assignment 
The act further required all produce of the colony to be brought to 
the warehouses established, one in each settlement, under this act, for 
storage, sale or shipment, and the penalty for failure to comply with this 
act was a forfeiture of the products. The act also provided, that " all 
goods, wares, English servants, negroes and other slaves and merchandise 
whatsoever that shalbe imported into this colony from and after the 29th 



TO NORFOIK AND VORTSMOT'TH. 



13 




14 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



day of September, which shalbe in the yeare 1681, shalbe landed on shore, 
bought and sould at such appointed places aforesaid, and at noe other 
place whatsoveer, under like penalty and forfeiture thereof." Tobacco 
sent to these warehouses was exempt from all executions, attachment, etc- 
So important was the establishment of trade marts considered, that it 
was further provided that all who would " cohabitt, dwell, and exercise 
their trades within the said appointed place,'' should be exempt from the 
arrest of their persons or seizure of their property for debts previously 
contracted, for five years, from the publication of the act. 

In pursuance of this authority, a tract which forms the north-western 
portion of the present City of Norfolk, was purchased, in 1682, for ten 




MAIN STREET, NORFOLK. LOOKING WEST FROM CHURCH STREET. 

thousand pounds of tobacco, from Nicholas "Wise, a carpenter, whose 
father had acquired some reputation as a local ship builder. 

We are told that the name Norfolk, was originally bestowed upon the 
district, (afterwards County,) " by one Col. Thorogood, one of the earliest 
settlers, in honor of his native county in England ; " and a similar senti- 
ment of patriotism would appear to have suggested the designation of 
other towns and localities in Virginia, which abounds in names borrowed 
from the mother-country. 

From this time forward the town appears to have enjoyed a long period 
of almost uninterrupted prosperity, during which her population continued 
to "increase and multiply" and her commercial influence to expand, for 



TO NORFOLK AND POUTSMOITII. 



15 



in September, 1736, she was formally incorporated, by royal charter, as a 
Borough, with a Mayor, Recorder and eight Aldermen. 

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

In 1775, however, the war-cloud of the Revolution burst over the un- 
happy country, and Norfolk was called upon to bear her share, or more 
than her share, of its horrors. Her burgesses were especially exasperated 
by the arbitrary conduct of Lord Dunmore, the Royal Governor of Vir- 
ginia, who appropriated her harbor for the use of his fleet, and abused his 
power by many acts of tyranny. Having suffered defeat at the hands 
of the Colonists, under Col. Woodford, two weeks previously, near Great 
Bridge, Lord Dunmore proceeded, on New Year's day, 1776, to bombard 
and burn Norfolk, which he did so effectually that nearly the whole town 
was reduced to ashes and abandoned by her ruined people. During this 




THE CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, PORTSMOUTH. 

bombardment one of the cannon-balls from Lord Dunmore's fleet struck 
the east end of St. Paul's Church and imbedded itself in the wall, where 
it remains, a cherished souvenir, to this day. 

This wholesale destruction of property was, of course, a heavy and cruel 
blow to the young Borough, but so richly had she been endowed by boun- 
tiful Nature that, immediately after the cessation of active hostilities, 
numbers of merchants and speculators flocked in to avail themselves of 
her conspicuous advantages, and it is from this point that the real im- 
portance of Norfolk, as a great seaport, may be said to date. 

THE DISMAL SWAMP CANAL. 

Six years had scarcely elapsed since American Valor had firmly and 
finally established American Independence, before the trade of Norfolk 
had assumed such imposing proportions that some means of transports- 



16 



«EN"ERAL AND f'OMMERCTAL GUIDE 



tion, other than the natural channels, were deemed necessary to its accom- 
modation. After considerable discussion and delay, a charter was 
obtained by the States of Virginia and North Carolina, nnder which the 
Dismal Swamp Canal was commenced in 1787, for the purpose of forming 
a more direct highway between the inland navigable waters of the two 
States. The magnitude of this enterprise may to some extent be esti- 
mated by the fact that the Canal was not opened for navigation until 
1828, having occupied more than forty years in its construction. It has 
conferred incalculable benefit upon Norfolk and Portsmouth, as well as 
upon the section of country which it traverses, and is now the property of 
a flourishing joint-stock company. It passes through one of the richest 




MARKET SQTJATJE, NORFOLK. 

lumber regions in the world, and has found its principal traffic in that 
essential commodity. 

GOSPOET NAVY YAED ESTABLISHED. 

The next important event which helped to shape the destiny of the sister 
cities was the establishment on the south bank of the river (now known as 
the Portsmouth side) of the Gosport Navy Yard in the first year of the 
present century and almost simultaneously with the death of the greatest 
of patriots and heroes — George Washington. The land was ceded by the 
Governor of Virginia to the United States Government by the authority 
of the General Assembly. This gave a new and healthy inpetus to the 
seaport's growth and was welcomed by her enterprising merchants as a 
veritable godsend. 



TO NORFOLK AND I'OKTsMOl'Tll. 



i; 



The town of Portsmouth sprang up rapidly, and promised to rival, if 
not eclipse, her elder sister, Norfolk. But, fortunately, a community 
of interests governed the influential classes of both towns, and their 
efforts were directed towards the establishment of a great common sea- 




port and business centre which should eventually develop into the main 
gate-way of commerce for the Middle Atlantic States. That this noble 
and patriotic object has been fully achieved, we shall presently demon- 
strate, on the infallible testimony of accumulated statistics. 



is 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



THE WAR OF 1812. 



In 1804, during his tour of Canada and the United States, Norfolk was 
visited by Erin's sweetest poet, Tom Moore, of melodious memory ! At 
this time, and during the few years that immediately followed, the Port 
seems to have made rapid strides in her ambitious path, and her possesions 
were deemed worthy of special protection, for Craney Island, at the mouth 
of the Eiver, was strongly fortified and garrisoned. And it was fortunate 
that this precaution had been so wisely taken, for in 1812 America de- 
clared war against Great Britain, and in June of the following year the 
enemy's fleet sailed proudly into Hampton Roads, for the avowed purpose 
of blockading the port and capturing our shipping. The Admiral, how- 
ever, had calculated without his host, for no sooner had he hauled within 
range, than the Craney Island batte.iies opened upon him with terrible 




THE NORFOLK STORAGE CO.'s WAREHOUSE. 

effect and compelled him to retire in shame and confusion. Indeed, so 
warm was his reception on that occasion, that he sailed away deeply, if 
not favorably, impressed with the substantial and self-sacrificing nature 
of that " Virginian hospitality " which was a well recognized characteristic 
of our people even in those early days. 

EAPID PROGRESS. 

During the next few decades nothing of consequence occurred to bring 
our Port into unusually prominent notice, or disturb the placid current 
which bore her along, with ever increasing speed, towards that important 
commercial position which, ere long, she was destined to occupy. Her 
shipping, however, had daily become more numerous, and she had multi- 
plied her docks and wharves for their accommodation. The low. swampy 
ground, which had formerly disfigured the towns and generated malaria, 
had in many places been filled in, and the streets widened and improved. 
Bridges and causeways had opened convenient communication with the 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



10 



surrounding country and enhanced the value of suburban property. A 
steam ferry had been established between Norfolk and Portsmouth, and 
had brought into more intimate contact the dwellers on the opposite 
shores of the broad Elizabeth. Frequent fires had destroyed many of the 
ancient landmarks, and handsome new structures had taken their place. 
Births and marriages and deaths had left their customary footprints upon 
the social sands, and the population went on increasing! Lafayette, the 
earliest foreign friend of the American Republic, had paid Norfolk a visit 
in 1824, and had been welcomed with open arms In 1832 the State 
Legislature, which had hitherto appointed the Mayor of Norfolk, granted 
to the " freeholders " the privilege of electing that official. The year 1836 
had been duly celebrated as the " Centennial " of Norfolk's incorporation 




THE OCEAN HOUSE. POKTSMOUTH. H. P. Harrington. Manager. 



as a Borough, and the following year had been marked by a brief visit 
from Napoleon III, the last Emperor of the French. 

INCORPORATED AS A CITY. 

But the crowning glory of all occurred on February 13th, 1845, when, 
by an Act of the General Assembly, Norfolk's charter was amended, and 
she was launched upon the world with all the honors, privileges and 
responsibilities of a full-fledged City. 

With this important crisis for our starting point, we will now proceed 
to review briefly the principal events which have marked the succeeding 
years of our beloved Seaport's career, having special regard, however, to 
those influences which have mainly led to her developement into one of 
the most prosperous and important commercial depots on the coast of the 
North Atlantic. ... 



20 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE. 



GEOGRAPHICAL. 

For the information of those to whom the geographical location of Nor ' 
folk and Portsmouth is not well known, we will here, with the indulgence 
of our resident readers, digress for a few moments, in order to describe 
those natural advantages which the intelligence and enterprise of the 
inhabitants have turned to such profitable account. Situated in latitude 
36°, 50\ 50", the subtle but potent charm of their temperate climate has 
doubtless contributed no little to the success of their original settlement 
and subsequent growth. The haibor, which is both commodious and well 




BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF HARBOR, LOOKING TOWARDS GOSrORT. 

protected, is unsurpassed along this extended seaboard for depth, safety 
and capacity. Approached by a channel twenty-eight feet deep, it is open 
to the largest vessels in the mercantile service, while upon its broad, calm 
bosom might float, uncrowded, the navies of the world. Immediately 
opposite Norfolk, and about a mile distant, lies her sister City, Ports- 
mouth ; while the point to the eastward, formed by the confluence of the 
Eastern and Southern branches of the Elizabeth River, is occupied by 
the busy village of Berkley. The lazy current runs seaward in a north- 
westerly direction, until, at a distance of eight miles from the city, it 



TO NORFOLK ANT) PORTSMOUTH. 



21 



flows into Hampton Roads, of which the following is the official descrip- 
tion furnished by the United States Coast Survey : 

'•Hampton Roadstead is formed by the confluence of the James, Nan- 
semond and Elizabeth Rivers, and is bounded on the north by Old Point 
Comfort and the Hampton shore to Newport's News; on the east by a 
line drawn from Old Point Comfort Lighthouse to the Rip Raps, and 
continued to the west end of Willoughby bank ; on the south by Wil- 
loughby Bay and SewelPs Point Spit; and on the south-west and west 
by a line drawn from Se well's Point to Newport's News Point. Between 
these limits the Roads are about four miles long, with a depth of from 
four to fifteen fathoms, and excellent holding ground. At the eastern 
boundary the anchorage is three-quarters of a mile wide, and gradually 
widens towards the south-westward until abreast of the western end of 




THE NATIONAL SOLDIERS' HOME, HAMPTON. 

Hampton Bar, where it is a mile and three-eights wide, between the lines 
of three fathoms." We must remember that the above distances are given 
in nautical miles of 2,028 yards— over 15 per cent, more than the statute 
mile. This noble harbor empties its tide into Chesapeake Bay at Old Point 
Comfort, whence it reaches the Ocean through the gateway formed by 
Cape Charles and Cape Henry, known as "The Capes of Virginia," within 
one degree of which, to the south-eastward, flows the genial current of 
the famous Gulf Stream. 

Of all the harbors on the North Atlantic Coast, that of Norfolk is. 
without doubt, the most highly favored, being open to the ocean, from 
which it is also abundantly sheltered; of infinite capacity; at a safe dis- 
tance from the Northern region where ice blockades periodically threaten 
shipping and impede commerce : unobstructed by those reefs and bars 



22 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



which render the seaports of the South at all times dangerous and Often 
inaccessible ; and having an enormous extent of agricultural country and 
forest lands directly tributary to it as the natural distributing point for 
its products, whether to the markets within the domains of the United 
States or to those of Transatlantic Nations. 

But we are not compelled to look only seaward in order to realize the 
superior commercial situation of Norfolk and Portsmouth, for we find by 
referring to the map that, by actual measurement, the vast and fertile ter- 
ritory comprising the States of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, 




'*Orff Tn5, 



CITY HALL. NORFOLK. 



Illinois, and those lying to the southward of them, is nearer this Port than 
New York, and must, sooner or later, become tributary to the former, as 
its enormous products increase in volume and demand new channels for 
cheap and rapid transportation. 

RETEOSPECTIVE. 

But to resume our retrospect: — Norfolk, as we have shown, was raised 
to the dignity of a City in 1845, from which date her track' appears to 
have received a new and powerful stimulus and to have developed with 
almost phenomenal rapidity. A spirit of enterprise also manifested itself 
among her merchants as well as in her municipal Council Chambers, and 



TO XOKFOLK A XI) I'OUTSMi H'Tfl . 



88 



resulted in many public improvements, among which we may mention the 
building of the present City Hall, the corner-stone of which was laid on 
August 23rd, 1847, with ;ill the "pride, pomp and circumstance"' of the 
Masonic ceremonial. Wise measures, pointing to the sanitary welfare of 
the City, were also adopted, including an excellent system of drainage and 
the reclamation of certain marshy hollows, whence emanated unwhole- 
some effluvia Here and there the sky was pierced by n graceful church 




UNITED STATES CUSTOM HOUSE AMD FO.Si' urVlUi: XOtiKOLK. 

spire betokening the zealous piety of at least a portion of the community, 
while the erection of public hospitals and other similar institutions bore 
evidence of the charity and benevolence of all. 

THE FIRST RAILROAD. 

The year 1850 is a memorable one in our Seaport's history, for it wit- 
nessed the opening of her first railroad communication with her outer 



24 



GENERAL and commercial gttide 



world. On the 9th of Novemher the Norfolk and Suffolk section of the 
Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad was completed, and the occasion was 
celebrated by a grand excursion which initiated a large number of our 
citizens into the mysteries, pleasures and discomforts of the "Iron Road." 
A year later the line was extended as far as Weldon, N. C, and almost 
simultaneously a public meeting was called to consider the feasibility of 
building a railroad to Petersburg, which resulted shortly afterwards in 
the formation of the Norfolk & Petersburg Railroad Company, to whose 





MAIN STREET, NORFOLK, LOOKING WEST FROM BANK STREET. 

capital stock the City of Norfolk subscribed $200,000, in December, 1852. 
The wisdom of this liberal measure has been amply vindicated, although 
at the time it met with some opposition. In the following year the Com- 
pany was formally organized and the work begun, but the road was not 
completed till 1859. At Petersburg it connected with the Southside 
Road, the western terminus of which was at Lynchburg, where it joined 
the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad, thus forming a through line from 
Norfolk to Bristol, a distance of 401 miles. These three corporations 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTS MO ITU. 



25 



were subsequently consolidated and became the Atlantic .Mississippi 
& Ohio (noAv Norfolk & Western) Railroad Company. 

But we arc anticipating, and must "try back " to 1853, in which year 
the Norfolk Agricultural Society gave its first exhibition, which proved 
in all respects a most successful enterprise. It may truly be said of this 
Society and its successors, that they conferred a permanent and incalcul- 
able benefit upon the City and the surrounding country by fostering and 




THE UPSHUR GUANO CO.'S FACTORY, BERKLEY. 

encouraging agriculture in all its branches, and in developing the various 
mechanical industries upon which the tillers of the soil depend for their 
very existence. 

THE YELLOW PL AG UK. 

Pursuing our narrative with chronological arrangement, we now come 
to the darkest and saddest page in the annals of our Sister Cities. In the 
summer of 1855 an ocean steamer arrived in our waters having on board 



26 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



a sailor infected with Yellow Fever. He died and was buried, but the fell 
disease was not to be satisfied with a single victim, and its pestilential 
breath was carried by the once healthful breezes into the very heart of the 
thriving communities on both sides of the harbor, spreading horror and 
desolation such as had never before, (and, thank God, have never since) 
been witnessed in Virginia or her neighboring States. For four months 
the fearful plague continued its ghastly work of destruction, and thou- 
sands of our people, regardless of color or class distinctions, perished 
helplessly under the fatal scourge. If so dire a calamity can be said to 
have possessed anyone bright element, it was surely to be discerned in the 
tender sympathy and noble self-sacrifice which it evoked from every sec- 
tion of the country on behalf of the stricken and bereaved. 




DISCIPLES' CHURCH. NORFOLK. 



When at last the fury of the pestilence had been appeased, and its brood- 
ing venom had been dissipated by the frosty blasts of October, we find the 
sorrowful but brave survivors returning to their gloomy homes and resum- 
ing their former avocations — with saddened hearts, indeed, but with a 
courage and determination for which we can find no adequate words of 
praise. Many of Norfolk's and Portsmouth'- most active and valued 
citizens were missing when the roll was called, and many a familiar voice, 
that had been wont to revive ambition and inspire confidence with its 
words of timely counsel and cheering encouragement, was now silent 
forever. But the decimated ranks were speedily rallied and the vacant 
places filled with new recruits, and for a time the work of progress went 
bravely on. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



27 



THE ALBEMARLE & CHESAPEAKE CANAL. 

Meantime the Twin Cities of the Elizabeth had not been unmindful of 
those interests which were to attract to their markets the products of the 
surrounding back country by providing easy and direct channels for their 
transportation. The Dismal Swamp Canal, to which we have already 
referred, had proved of immense value as an available highway communi- 
cating with portions of North Carolina, and another kindred enterprise, 
the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal, bad been in progress for some 
time past, and was opened for traffic in January, 1850, when the first boat 
load of produce was towed by one of the Company'? steamers through its 
locks and landed on our wharves. 

Several regular lines of steamers, plying between this Harbor and other 
Atlantic seaports, bad also been in active operation for several years, 





mmBM 




VIRGINIA REACH HOTEL, J. P. Hprbach. Proprietor. 

including the New York Line and the Bay Line of Baltimore. To these 
were added in .lanuary,U860, the Boston Line which was establishsd to 
run in connection with the Norfolk & Petersburg Railroad. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

The inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, in 1861, as President of the 
United States, was immediately followed, "as everybody knows," by the 
confederation of the Southern States and their secession from the Union. 
It is entirely beyond our province to record the events of the cruel war 
that ensued, although their influence upon the commercial standing of 
our two Cities was great and permanent. We may state in general terms, 
however, that during the whole disastrous strife, the Port of Norfolk and 
Portsmouth, if only by reason of its geographical situation, was necessa- 



28 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



rily a " warm corner," and produced many as true heroes and heroines as 
ever drew sword or shed a tear for the " Lost Cause." 

After four seemingly interminable years of the most unnatural war in 
which civilized people had ever engaged, "meek-eyed Peace " once more 
shed her gentle influence over the blood-stained land, and in 1865, the 
surviving remnant of our brave contingent marched sorrowfully home- 
ward. Our two Cities had experienced many vicissitudes under military 
rule. Their gallant sons had defended their battlements while still a pos- 
sibility of success remained. After their evacuation they had submitted 
to the gentle (?) and humane (?) government of the Federal General, Ben- 
jamin F. Butler, surnamed "The Beast." They had gloried in the bril- 
liant achievements of their distant warriors, and had suffered agony too 
deep for tears over the later tidings of disaster and defeat. 

But it was over at last, thank God, and the returned soldier gladly 
resumed his former peaceful calling, determined to restore his home, with 
all convenient speed, to its past condition of tranquility and comfort. 

RECUPERATION. 

It was only too apparent, however, that many years of patient industry 




MASONIC TEMPLE. NORFOLK. 

must elapse before this district could hope to recover from the shock it 
had sustained. Our principal communications by land and water had 
been rendered practically valueless, having suffered serious damage which 
there was neither money nor credit to repair. Our commercial connections 
had been scattered to the four winds, and our back country laid waste- 
But it was not in the nature of our plucky citizens to be disheartened 
by such trifles as these. The new system of ruinous taxation and the 
greatly increased cost of living, combined with the hateful military rule 
under which it had pleased the Conquerors to place us, were additional 
obstacles, to be sure, but their undaunted courage was more than equal to 
the emergency, and we find that several new enterprises were inaugurated 
almost immediately after the termination of the war. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 

WW 




30 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



In the fall of 1865, the Virginia and North Carolina Immigration and 
Colonization Company, was incorporated, and the Merchants' and Manu- 
facturers' Exchange of Norfolk and Portsmouth Avas reorganized, after 
having heen closed for four years. 

OUR RAILROAD FACILITIES. 

Early in 1866, the Norfolk & Petersburg Railroad was repaired and 
reopened, having been almost demolished during the war, and was con- 
solidated, in 1870, with the Southside and Virginia & Tennessee Roads, as 
we have already stated, under the name of the Atlantic, Mississippi 
rtiiiii iuiSjjiij .fer-v. & Ohio Railroad, with a charter that 

provided for its extension to connect 
with the system of Kentucky Roads, and 
authorized a loan of $15,000,000, a large 
portion of which was negotiated in Europe. 
The line was immediately placed in excel- 
lent condition and thoroughly equipped 
throughout its whole length. This con- 
solidation brought us at once into direct 
communication with the interior, as far 
west as Memphis, and bestowed upon this 
Port advantages to which it had hitherto 
been a stranger. Through freights are now 
delivered at this terminus from the cities of 
the Far West, and through bills of lading 
are given at points on the Mississippi for 
cotton and other produce passing over 
this line to Liverpool and other foreign 

NORFOLK NATIONAL BANK. ports. 




THE NORFOLK & WESTERN R. R. 

A glance at the map will show that the Norfolk & Western (formerly 
the Atlantic, Mississippi & Ohio) Railroad with its connections, whose 
name is Legion, traverses the States of Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Ala- 
bama and Mississippi, and is in several instances intersected by other 
trunk lines leading to all the larger Western Cities. Among others Ave may 
mention the Cincinnati Southern, the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis, 
the Nashville & St. Louis, the Alabama & Chattanooga and the Vicksburg 
& Meridian Roads, Avhich, with their respective ramifications, leave 
scarcely a spot on this side of the Rocky Mountains beyond our reach. 

When it is remembered that a considerable proportion of the enormous 
grain and cotton yield of the prolific Western and South-western States 
must seek ultimate shipment from the Atlantic Coast, it will readily be 
seen that over the Norfolk & Western Railroad, in connection with our 



TO NORFOLK ANT) PORTSMOUTH. 



31 



coastwise steam lines, immense freights are shipped daily between the 
Northern Cities and all points South and West, via Norfolk and Ports- 
mouth. 

But this is not all. Our Port gives to this line exactly the outlet it 
needs for the enormous traffic offered to it in coal and we are glad to see 
that the Company fully appreciates the value of our situation in that 
respect. The steamships which seek this harbor will naturally find it to 
their advantage to take their supply of fuel from the place at which they 
receive or discharge their cargoes, and, knowing this to be the fact, the 
Norfolk & Western Railroad Company intend to exert every energy in order 
to make Norfolk harbor one of the largest coaling stations on the coast; 
and for this purpose they have erected upon their new terminal property 
at Lambert's Point, about four miles from the City, several large coal 




WARD MEMORIAL HALL, SOLDIERS' HOME, HAMPTON, 

piers with bins of capacity sufficient to meet all requirements, and have 
also extended the trestles and piers at their present depot for the accommo- 
dation of vessels of small tonnage. The coal territory of the South-west is 
being rapidly developed, and the output of this mineral is increasing daily. 
New mines will shortly be opened and this road will then be taxed to its 
utmost to move the immense yield. 

It is also under consideration by this enterprising Company to build at 
Lambert's Point a grain elevator of about 300,000 bushels capacity, which 
will be so constructed as to admit of its being enlarged at small cost as occa- 
sion may require, and we are very sanguine that W estern shippers will, before 
long, recognize the advantages offered by this Port for the shipment of 



th 



leir oram. 



32 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GtlDE 



THE SEABOARD & ROANOKE R. R. 

The Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad, between Portsmouth and Wei don, 
had also suffered heavily during the war, but was repaired and put in good 
running order shortly after the restoration of peace. This road forms 
a connecting link between our dual Seaport and the whole system of roads 
throughout the Southern States, and is consequently one of the main 
arteries of our trade. At Weldon, N. C, it meets the Raleigh & Gaston 
Road, leading to Raleigh, the Capital City of North Carolina, where it 
joins the Raleigh & Augusta Road leading to Hamlet, and there intersects 
the Carolina Central Road from Wilmington to Charlotte, at which point 
we find roads running to Asheville, Columbia, Augusta, and other Cities 
whence direct communication is maintained with New Orleans. 

All these Roads, with one or two exceptions, give through bills of lad- 
ing to Norfolk or Portsmouth and constitute what is known as the "Sea- 




AMERIOAN FEftTILIZIXG CO.'S WAREHOUSE, NORFOLK. 

board Air Line System." The Seaboard and Roanoke Road also forms 
the connecting link between this Port and the Roads composing " The 
Atlantic Coast Line." This system, with its trunk roads, extends the 
whole distance from Portsmouth to Jacksonville, Florida, taking in the 
chief seaport cities, and is moreover fed by numerous tributary Roads run- 
ning up through the central and western parts of the Carolinas and Georgia. 

THE NEW YORK PHILADELPHIA & NORFOLK R, R. 
In the Fourth Edition of Norfolk as a Business Centre, published in 
1884, (of which this volume is the successor.) mention was made of a new 
Railroad, then only in contemplation, designed to connect Delmar, in the 
State of Delaware, with some point on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, 
within easy reach by steamboat of Norfolk and Portsmouth. In the brief 



tO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



33 



interval that has since elapsed, this line has become an established fact, 
and is known as the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad. As 
its name indicates, it connects our Seaport with the two largest cities of 
the North, and, what is of infinitely greater importance, especially to the 
great trucking interests of this section, its route is so nearly direct that 
the whole distance between this harbor and New York, is traversed in 
eleven hours, or a saving of eight hours over the next shortest route. A 
powerful passenger steamboat, which also carries Pullman Sleeping and 
Drawing-room cars, connects Norfolk and Portsmouth with Cape Charles- 
near the southern extremity of the Peninsula, where the terminus of the 
Road is situated, — the distance between these two points, across Chesa_ 
peake Bay, being thirty-six miles. Thence the line is almost straight to 
Del mar— ninety-five miles. From Delmar to Philadelphia is 125 miles, 
and ninety miles further is the Commercial Metropolis of the United 




TILLEY'S PIANING MILL-, BERKLEY. 

States— New York. Passenger and freight cars go through between the 
extreme termini of the system — New York and Norfolk— without transfer, 
thus affording the only land and water transportation of its kind in the 
world. The scheme, when first proposed, was ridiculed as preposterous 
and impossible, and its successful accomplishment has not only vindicated 
the wisdom and crowned the ingenuity of its promoters, but has also con. 
ferred inestimable benefit upon the whole territory adjacent to the At- 
lantic Seaboard. It would, moreover, be difficult to calculate with any 
degree of accuracy the enormous advantages which this enterprise is des- 
tined to confer upon the Eastern States in the future, for the line is 
shortly to be extended to the southward, and we may expect, at an early 
date, to see Pullman cars running through Norfolk or Portsmouth from 
New York to Florida. 

Another passenger boat, capable of running eighteen miles an hour, is 



34 



'general and commercial guide 



now being bnilt for the Company, who also own three freight barges, each 
with a capacity of seventeen loaded cars. During the truck season, the 
boats will leave this Port about noon, daily, and the fruits and vegetables 
of this district will reach Philadelphia at midnight, and New York at 
4 o'clock on the following morning, — thus saving a clear day over all pre- 
vious methods of transportation. This immense advantage will apply 
also to all truck coming to Portsmouth over the Atlantic Coast Line 
System, and those reaching our Port coastwise or by the Internal Naviga- 
tion Lines, from the Shores of Chesapeake Bay and the Sounds of Carolina. 
It will thus be seen that Norfolk and Portsmouth are connected by 
numerous and abundant avenues of transportation with all the Central 




MAIN STREET, NORFOLK, LOOKING EAST FROM BANK STREET. 

Southern and North-eastern States, which are reached by various routes 
affording the amplest conveniences for the carriage of their products and 
other freights to and fiom the best harbor on the Atlantic Coast. The 
reader, with the map before him, will readily understand why our Cities 
have attracted to themselves so large a share of these products, and already 
form the third Cotton Port of the United States. 

The great increase of cotton receipts in this port gives us the gratify- 
ing assurance that the planters of a large portion of the South have fixed 
upon Norfolk and Portsmouth as their most profitable market and most 
convenient port for foreign shipment, and that the future will bring us 
still greater and more abundant evidence of their confidence. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



35 



But it is not to Cotton alone that Ave owe our commercial eminence. 
The products of our own State, from field and forest, pour into our mar- 
kets over the railroads and waterways with an ever increasing stream. 




HOSPITAL OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. 

The Peanut Crop of Virginia, grown principally in the Eastern Coun- 
ties, has increased from year to year, until its culture has become one of 
our most productive and profitable industries. 

STOCK RAISING. 

From South-west Virginia we receive large numbers of beeves for 
shipment to England and the Continent of Europe, where they command 



36 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



high [trices. No section of the country produces finer cattle, and the 
export trade promises to grow in magnitude in proportion to the increas- 
ing demand in Europe for American beef. Stock farmers of the Old 
World, by reason of their very limited grazing lands, cannot successfully 
compete with those of America, and the day is even now at hand when the 
densely populated European States will be largely dependent upon this 
conntry for their meat supply. The magnificent and well watered grass 
lands in the Southwestern portion of this State possess an element of 
wealth which only needs development in order to produce enormous re- 
turns; and for the cattle trade of South-west Virginia, this port must 
always be the most advantageous shipping point to Europe. 

MINERAL WEALTH. 

But the Middle and Western Counties, through which the Norfolk & 
Western Eailroad passes, in addition to their agri- 
cultural and grazing advantages which are already 
fully recognized, possess hoards of incalculable 
wealth, deep buried beneath the soil, which are now 
being brought to light by the hand of science and 
practical industry, and which, in the near future, 
will be found equal, if they do not exceed, the 
mineral riches of any section of this vast Continent. 
In Tidewater Virginia the chief and most valuable 
of our subterranean deposits is Marl, which is 
found in great quantities and variety convenient 
to railway arid river transportation. All along the 
line of the Norfolk & Western Railroad fromFarm- 
ville to Bristol, zinc, iron and coal are found in 
great abundance, while copper, lead and even gold 
are occasionally met with. The mineral wealth of 
Virginia has attracted a great deal of attention 
during the last few years, and several mines and 
furnaces have been opened in the neighborhood of Lynchburg, and 
beyond. The proximity of the iron and coal deposits in what is known as 
the " Great Appalachian Coal Field," which is traversed by the Norfolk 
& Western Road, in South- West Virginia, affords facilities for the smelt- 
ing and manufacture of iron which are unsurpassed in the world. The 
lead mines of Wythe County have been in operation for many years and 
have yielded about 35,000,000 pounds. For a considerable period during 
the Civil War they furnished the principal supply of bullets used by the 
armies of the Confederacy. The development of the mineral resources of 
this region will greatly increase their production, and they must event- 
ually, either in their crude or manufactured state, come to this port for 
market or shipment. 




CITIZENS' BANK, 
(Main St , Norfolk) 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



37 



THE CHESAPEAKE & OHIO R. R. 
In addition the three great Railroads already described, having their 
respective termini at Norfolk and Portsmouth, which with their wide- 
reaching connections have opened up to our trade the Southern and South- 
Western States, there is still another gigantic railway system which has 
quite recently established its Eastern terminus at Newport's News, within 
sight of Norfolk harbor, namely, the Chesapeake A ( >hio Railroad, through 
whose connections our intercourse with the West and North-west have 
been materially facilitated. This road traverses the richest coal and iron 
regions in the whole country and penetrates the fine grazing and agricul- 
tural lands of Kentucky, thus affording another avenue for the transpor- 
tion of the grain and other produce of the Central and Western States to 
the Atlantic seaboard. 











scj/-/-/r/?caaa 



NORFOLK COLLEGE FOR YOUNG LADIES. 

THE NORFOLK SOUTHERN R. R. 
This important Railroad was completed to Edenton. N. C, in 1882, 
and has already secured sufficient business, to and from the great 
Sound region of Carolina, to almost overtax its capacity. Its northern 
terminus is at the Village of Berkley, which is reached by the steam ferry 
from Norfolk and Portsmouth. The road is under excellent manage- 
ment and has met with splendid and well deserved success. When its 
contemplated extensions are completed it will prove yet another import- 
ant feeder to our markets, to which it even now carries cotton, fish and 
vegetables in immense and always increasing quantities. 

THE NORFOLK & OCEAN VIEW R. R. 
Of the Railroads in which Norfolk is directly interested, there now 
remain only two to be considered, and these two will, for the present at 
least, contribute as much to her pleasure as to her profit. The first and 



38 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE. 



elder of these is the Norfolk & Ocean View Railroad, running from this 
City abouteight miles to the property of the Ocean View Hotel Co., by 
whom the Railroad is also owned. It has been very successful for the 
past six years as a quick and inexpensive means of escape from the heat 
and dust of the city, during the summer months, to the pure and bracing 
breezes fresh from the bosom of the deep. 

THE NORFOLK & VIRGINIA BEACH li. R. 

The other road is the Norfolk & Virginia Beach Railroad, which, as its 

name indicates, has its terminal points in this city and on the ocean beach 

of Virginia, respectively. The line is seventeen miles in length and is 

easily travelled in an hour. It is a charming trip to the seaside, where a 




FURNITURE WAREHOUSE OF AMES & STEVENS, (late S. A. Stevens & CVO 

handsome and commodious pavilion, capable of accommodating several 
thousands of guests, and a dining room with a seating capacity for eight 
hundred, have beem-erected by the Company. The bathing at " Virginia 
Beach " is said to be the best along the coast, and this young enterprise 
promises to rival in popularity any of the Summer Resorts from Maine 
to Florida, overlooking the Atlantic. 

OTHER RAILROADS. 

Among the other Railroads which, although not having their termini 

at Norfolk or Portsmouth, contribute nevertheless to their trade, is the 

Atlantic & Danville Railroad, which is already in operation from Clare- 

mont, on the James River, to Hickgford, a thriving village on the Peters- 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



:v.) 



burg & Weldon Railroad, about ninety miles from this Port. When 
completed it will run through some of the most fertile peanut and 
tobacco regions of Virginia to Danville, where it will connect with the 
Danville & New River Railroad, and thus reach the extreme south- 
western limits of the State. A large proportion of its freight will be 
brought here by rail or river, and the Tobacco element will probably 
enter shortly into our commercial negotiations. The great bulk of this 
crop has hitherto found its best markets in Richmond, Petersburg and 
the western cities of Virginia, where it is largely manufactured. There 




NORFOLK ACADEMY, (Dillard & Tunstall, Principals.) 

is at present no tobacco factory in Norfolk or Portsmouth, but we regard 
this industry as among the probabilities of the near future. 

TRANSPORTATION LINES. 

It must be admitted, from the above showing, that in the matter of 
Railroad communications, Norfolk and Portsmouth are pre-eminently 
blessed among Cities. Nor are they second to any seaport in the world 
of their size and population, as regards the number and capacity of the 
regular Steamboat Lines carrying passengers and freight to and from 
their piers. While disclaiming all intention to make " invidious distinc- 
tions," we shall refer to them in that order suggested by their several 
influences upon this port as a Business Centre, so far as the information 
at our command enables us to discriminate. 

The line which perhaps occupies the most conspicuous place, by reason 



40 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



of its connection with the various railroads having their termini in the 
cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, is the Old Dominion Steamship Com- 
pany, which connects us with New York on the one hand and Richmond 
on the other, and which for nineteen years, or more, has admirably met 
the demands of trade with its fine fleet of coastwise steamers running to 
and from our port three times a week, or oftener when occasion requires. 
A controlling interest in this line was purchased in February, 1882, by 
the Norfolk & Western. Seaboard & Roanoke and Chesapeake & Ohio 
Railroads, as a measure of self protection and in the interest of the trade 
of our port. 




DOBIE & CO.'S COMMISSION HOUSE. 

The Bay Line gives us a daily passenger steamer between this port and 
Baltimore, with additional boats exclusively for freight, and hospitably 
maintains its reputation as, in more senses than one, a good feeder! The 
"floating palaces" of this company are at all seasons well patronized by 
the travelling public who have learned to fully appreciate the advantages 
of speed and economy, especially when combined with substantial physi- 
cal comfort. 

The Clyde Lines carry immense quantities of cotton and other produce 
to Philadelphia and the Northern markets and return to us laden with 
such manufactured articles as our necessities demand. 

The Merchants' and Miners' Transportation Company affords us direct 
access to Boston and the other great manufacturing cities of New Eng- 



TO NORFOLK AND l'ORTSMOTTH. 



II 



land, whither a considerable portion of our cotton, lor foreign and 
domestic consumption, finds its way annually. 

Besides those above mentioned, we have two steam lines running to 
Washington, and one to Richmond, while multitudes of smaller craft ply 
continually to and from the numerous towns, villages and "landings" on 
the rivers and sounds along the coast. 

LUMBER. 

For many years past* Norfolk has been one of the leading wood and 
lumber markets on the Atlantic. The canals and rivers which penetrate 
the great white-oak and pine forests of eastern Virginia and North Caro- 
lina afford cheap water transportation for the wood grown and lumber 
manufactured upon their banks, and the number and capacity of the saw 
mills tributary to this port are increasing every year. Besides the 




FREY BROS.' BOX FACTORY. BERKLEY. m 

enormous quantities of timber and lumber passing through Norfolk for 
domestic consumption, the trans-Atlantic trade in these commodities has 
of late years assumed very respectable proportions, although it may still 
be regarded as 'in its infancy. With the persistent application of that 
"push" which is one of the leading characteristics of our mercantile 
community, there can be little doubt as to the possibility of building up 
the export lumber trade until it becomes a source of magnificent revenue. 

PEANUTS. 

It is now, we presume, generally known that Virginia has become, 
within the last decade, the largest Peanut producing State in the Union, 
and that Norfolk is, par excellence, the peanut market of Virginia— that 
is, of the world— except, perhaps, Marseilles, France. Our trade in that 
article now exceeds a million and a half dollars annually, but has hitherto 



42 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



be^n conducted almost exclusively with our own Northern and Western 
Cities. Indeed, no systematic effort has yet been made to create a foreign 
market for this valuable crop, but when its cultivation becomes more 
general, the surplus production will doubtless find a profitable sale abroad. 

OYSTERS. 

AVe feel a certain undefined delicacy, in which we trust our readers will 
sympathize, in referring to that modest but powerful factor in our com- 
mercial economy — the world-famous Norfolk Oyster. The whole of our 




WATER STREET, NORFOLK LOOKING EAST. 

harbor, with the adjoining estuaries, may be described as a vast oyster 
bed, and the "crop" is simply inexhaustible. Epicures and gourmets have 
agreed in pronouncing the Norfolk variety of this delicious bivalve to be 
the very finest yet discovered, as to both flavor and substance. Who has not 
experienced a sudden accession of appetite at the very mention of the 
choicest fruit-garden of the ocean — Lynnhaven Buy — which lies at the 
mouth of our river ? Nearly all the shallow tide-water inside the Capes 
of Virginia abounds with these nutritious testacea, and the trade they 
supply is very considerable. Many thousands of laborers find profitable 
employment in gathering and preparing for shipment this rich harvest of 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



4:5 



Nature's Own sowing, and handsome fortunes have been realized in this 
important branch of our commerce. Nearly two millions of bushels pass 
through our market annually for distribution throughout the Old as well 
as the New World, and there is still plenty of room for multiplying the 
production almost ad infinitum. 

Our shoal waters also teem with an infinite variety of delicious fish, 
and the low lands of the eastern shore, watered by numerous rivers and 
creeks, form the natural feeding-ground of countless ducks, geese, swans 
and other wild fowl, with which our market is always abundantly sup- 
plied. 

THE CLIMATE. 

The delightful climate of Norfolk and Portsmouth is one of the chief 




HOTEL AT ROANOKE— on N. & W. R. R. 

attractions to the sojourner within our borders. Exempt alike from the 
extremes of heat in Summer and cold in Winter, our atmosphere is 
always temperate and salubrious, being softened and purified by the 
•'restless breath of Ocean.'' For many winters past, invalids from the 
North and West have sought shelter among us from the severity of their 
own climate, and many others who have merely intended to rest here for a 
day, en route to Florida or some other Southern sanitarium, have found 
in our genial latitude all that they sought, and have remained with us 
for awhile, to their great and lasting benefit. Snow and ice occasionally 
visit us about Christmas-time, as if to remind us of the recurring season, 
but it is very rarely that we suffer any inconvenience from the continu- 
ance of cold weather. 



44 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



.But if the Winter be mild and genial, the Summer in this favored 
locality is simply delicious, especially when compared with that of the 
Northern and interior cities. The ocean breezes seem never to grow 
weary in fulfllling their merciful mission towards those who are unable to 
escape from the over-heated city, while the watering places of Chesapeake 
Bay and the ocean beach are within an hour's run, by rail or water, to 
those more fortunately situated. Another great source of health and 
comfort is the excellence of the surf bathing at these summer resorts, 
which is nowhere surpassed for convenience and safety. There is splendid 
fishing, moreover, which the disciple of the "gentle art" can enjoy to his 
heart's content. Our seaside Hotels also, compare most favorably with 




SEABOARD COTTON COMPRESS. 

those of the fashionable and expensive resorts of the North, and the 
visitor will find upon their tables all the delicacies of the land and the 
sea — fish, crabs, oysters, vegetables and fruit — in great abundance and of 
the finest quality, according to their seasons. 

THE SOLDIERS' HOME, HAMPTON. 

Centuries ago, as we have seen, Old Point Comfort was known to the 
hardy voyager as "a haven of rest.". Not then, as now, 

•'The lordly mansion and the heavenward spire. 
Checkered the landscape," — 

for only a barren strip of land was to be seen where the infrequent rushes 
nodded in the breeze and the fierce wolf made his lair unmolested. Still 
it proved"a welcome shelter to the distressed and storm-tossed mariners 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



45 



who sought its friendly shore, and many a grateful voice awoke its echoes 
" with hymns of lofty cheer." 

Great changes have marked the scene since those days of peril and ad- 
venture, and the once desolate marshes are now reclaimed and dotted with 
"tower and town and hamlet," far as the eye can reach. 

On nearing Old Point from Norfolk, the visitor will notice from the 
steamer's deck, to the left of Fortress Monroe and fronting the waters of 
Hampton Roads, an imposing structure, surmounted by a spangled dome 
and surrounded by other handsome buildings, all delightfuly situated in 
the midst of ornamental trees and statuary, beyond which are broad 
stretches of highly cultivated land. This is the Southern Branch of the 
National Home for Disabled Veteran Soldiers. 




THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE, SOLDIERS' HOME, HAMPTON. 

It was founded in 1871, by the Federal Government, as an asylum for 
wounded and disabled veterans, so that the original title given to this locality 
— Old Point Comfort — still holds good, for its beacon shines like a star of 
hope, and it is a veritable "haven of rest" for soldiers wrecked in war. At first 
only fifty inmates were sheltered, but as the location became better known 
for the recuperative virtues of its climate and water, the number gradu- 
ally increased, until at the present time sixteen hundred and fifty old sol- 
diers are accommodated. Captain P. T. Woodfin, the present Governor, took 
charge on January 17th, 1873, and at every turn it will be found that the 
evidences of his prosperous rule multiply. Inmates are seen walking 
about, comfortably clothed, along the dry, solid drives or graveled paths, 
— veritable pathways of roses in Summer. A base-ball park meets the 
view ; agricultural grounds appear, carefully attended to, and many beau- 
tiful and substantial buildings are clustered near each other in such 



46 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

a manner as to enhance the beauty of the landscape, while along the 
water front a solid plank walk has been laid, protected by a stout rail- 
ing, and wide enough to be named " The Boulevard." There is also a 
substantial wharf, a commodious bath house, a rakish-looking yacht 
and many other aquatic improvements, for use or ornament, too numerous 
to mention. The officers of the institution are Captain P. T. Woodfin, Gov- 
ernor ; Captain Wra. Thompson, Treasurer, Secretary and C. S. ; Dr. S. 
K. Towle, Surgeon. 

General Geo. B. McClellan was for several years local manager, and 
took great interest in the institution. Since his death, General James S. 
Negley, M. C, from Pittsburg, Pa., has been chosen his successor. 

The main building has been re-modeled and enlarged. Broad piazzas 
run the entire length of each of its four stories. There are wash rooms 
and bath rooms on every floor, which are reached by wide stairways and 
an elevator constantly running to accommodate the lame and infirm. The 
quarters are neat, light and cheerful. The building is lighted by gas, 
heated by steam in Winter, and so situated as to catch the bracing sea 
breeze in Summer. A visit to the observatory will repay the effort, as it 
presents an ever changing panorama, by sea and land. Ward Memorial 
Hall, built from funds bequeathed by Mr. Horatio Ward, of London, Eng- 
land, contains on its main floor the dining room, where 750 inmates are 
accommodated at one sitting. In the same building may also be found a 
billiard hall, free to the inmates, and a theatre, where Church services are 
also held. The new hospital, just completed at a cost of $125,000, under 
the eyes of eminent architects, stands the peer of any structure of its 
class in this or any other country. A fine military band under the leader- 
ship of Professor Leavey gives da ly concerts from 3 to 4 p. m , Sundays 
excepted. 

The Officer s Quarters are neat cottages built along the water front. 
The Governor's and Treasurer's offices may be found in a convenient 
brick building near Ward Memorial Hall. There is also an extensive con- 
servatory and a fire engine honse attached to the Home. The Library 
Building contains nearly five thousand books in its reading room, and 
receives over a hundred newspapers daily. It is patronized by more than 
sixty per cent, of the inmates. There are Quartermasters' store houses and 
shops, a store, a house set apart for the use of smokers, brick stables, a 
laundry, gas house and soap house. An artesian well supplies excellent 
water. The infantry, recruited from men who still love to play soldier, 
have an armory, and are organized as the Woodfin Guards. Tbe artillery 
have a section of light, twelve-pound guns, and come to the front when 
a salute is to be fired. Two G. A. R. posts are organized and flonrish- 
iug. A temperance society — The Veteran Lodge — has recently been 
formed. Both Protestant and Catholic chaplains hold religious services 
weekly. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



47 



This institution has received under its friendly shelter thousands of 
broken down men. It has sent many of them away with renewed health 
and strength — now active citizens, able to take their part once more in the 
battle of life. 

'TRUCKING." 

Our laboring classes enjoy exceptional advantages over those of almost 




NORFOLK STF,AM BAKERY- (James Roid & Co. Proprietors.) 
every other section, from the great variety of our leading industries, some 
of which are certain to be at all times in need of additional assistance to 
meet the press of business. The whole region round about us is little 
else than an immense garden in which are raised the early vegetables and 



48 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

fruits for the Northern markets. From early in the Spring till late in 
the Fall a constant succession of crops employ a large force of field hands, 
and thousands of men, women and children are daily engaged in gather- 
ing, packing and shipping the products of our " truck farms," at wages 
that are always fairly remunerative and often liberal. We have seen as 
many as fifteen hundred hands at a time on one farm picking strawberries, 
at an average rate of $1.25 per day, including women and children. 

The enormous quantities of Apples, Pears, Peaches, Watermelons, 
Cantaloupes, Kale, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Spinach, Lettuce, Eadishes, 
Tomatoes, Asparagus, Beans, Peas, Irish and Sweet Potatoes, Beets, 
Onions, Celery and other Fruits and Vegetables raised in this section 
would seem almost fabulous to one who has not himself witnessed the 
vast scale on which this business is conducted. The products of this 
industry alone give ample employment, during the season, to the magnifi- 
cent steamships running between this Port and New York, Boston, 
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, their capacity being sometimes 
taxed to its utmost limit to furnish the necessary transportation, the 
New York line frequently dispatching two steamships per day, loaded 
with vegetables, and we have known a single boat of this line to carry 
12,000 barrels of potatoes, besides other cargo, on one trip. 

The natural fertility of our soil, maintained and enhanced by skillful 
treatment, together with the mildness of the climate, enables many of our 
-truckers" to produce two — and occasionally even three — successive crops 
from the same land during one season ; and it is a very general practice 
among our farmers to reap a good crop of corn in the Fall from the soil 
which in the Spring had yielded a rich harvest of early vegetables. 

By a fortunate agreement of seasons, the truck crop is no sooner dis- 
posed of than the Oyster business demands attention, and the same labor 
which has gathered in the fruit of the soil is now available for securing 
the treasures of the sea. As we have stated, the Oysters and Fish of oui 
waters supply exhaustless products at the simple cost of gathering, and 
thousands of our people earn a comfortable livelihood during the Fall and 
Winter months in gathering, packing and shipping them to Northern 
and Foreign markets. 

Until within the last few years Baltimore almost monopolized the 
Oyster trade, but the superior conveniences of our situation and climate 
hive given our packers an advantage which is now generally appreciated. 
This branch of our trade, already large, as we have said, is capable of 
almost infinite expansion. In addition to the Oyster, great quantities of 
Fresh Fish and Crabs are shipped by the dealers to all parts of the North. 

CORN. 

As the commercial centre of Eastern North Carolina and Tidewater 
Virginia, Norfolk and Portsmouth have always concentrated the Corn 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



49 



trade of these sections. Prior to the war, the rich bottom lands of the 
rivers which permeate the coast of these two States, were among the 
largest corn producing regions in the country, and Norfolk became one of 
the most important Corn markets of the Union. In those days, however, 
the railroad system of the country was but imperfectly developed, and 
there was little or no competition for the freights of the West. The cost 
of transporting corn to the seaboard was, consequently, almost prohibitive, 
and even since the war the farmers of Iowa have found it more profitable 
to burn their corn for fuel than to ship it as produce. 

The railroad competition, however, which has distinguished later years, 




QUEEN STREET MARKET. 

has removed this barrier to the agricultural industry of the West, and 
corn from its over flowing graneries is now pouring into the seaboard Cities 
at remunerative prices. At the same time the farmers of Virginia and 
North Carolina have recovered, in a great degree, the prosperity of ante- 
bellum days, and are again bringing under cultivation their naturally 
fertile lands. The result has been a very marked increase in our Corn 
receipts, with every prospect of a still greater improvement. With our 
extended railroad connections there is no reason why a large portion of 
the Western Wheat crop should not also be attracted to our market. 
When it is remembered that this Port is situated 150 miles nearer the sea 
than Baltimore, it would seem that the very logic of geography should se- 
cure to us preference over that City as the point for shipment, provided we 



50 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

can offer equal transportation facilities. And this we can now do through 
the expanded connections of the Norfolk & Western, and the completion 
of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad to Newport's News. 

IMPORTS. 

And not only as a domestic market and point of export does this Har- 
b}r offer peculiar advantages. She recognizes no superior in America 
as a port of entry also. Directly connected with England by two steam- 
ship lines and a numerous fleet of sailing vessels engaged in the cotton 
trade, and also with all the chief cities of the North by regular steam 
lines, inferior to none in capacity aud strength, it enjoys every facility 
for the importation of foreign wares at the lowest freights, as well as for 
the purchase of domestic manufactures at as favorable rates as can be ob- 
tained elsewhere in this country. Our merchants buying from first hands 
could thus duplicate all bills at Northern prices, giving their customers 
the benefit of the difference in freight. 

A BRIGHT PROSPECT. 

For the future of Norfolk and Portsmouth as a great Commercial Cen- 
tre we now entertain no fear. By slow degrees, and in defiance of many 
adverse circumstances, we have moved steadily along in the march of 
progress, until, at last, our claims have been fully established and our 
great natural advantages recognized, at home and abroad. Our trade in 
its various branches has continued to improve, and is now in a more pros- 
perous condition than ever before. Oar municipal affairs are unem- 
barassed and our external relations on a most satisfactory footing. Our 
manufactures have increased in number and importance, and the value of 
our real estate has advanced beyond precedent. Cotton buyers from Eng- 
land and the Continent, representing the largest dealers in the World, are 
to be met with on our streets during the season, availing themselves of the 
unusual facilities afforded by our market for the purchase and shipment 
of this great staple product of our tributary soil. The depth and safety 
of our harbor offer unusual attractions to ships of the largest class, while 
our port charges and wharfage rents are more reasonable than those of 
other American seaports. And, finally, the activity, liberality and enter- 
prise of our merchants and manufacturers give ample assurance that the 
succeeding pages of our history will be adorned and brightened with the 
fulfilled hopes and redeemed promises of to day. 

So much, then, in support of our volume's title — " General and Com- 
mercial Guide to Norfolk and Portsmouth." Our sketch has been less in 
the nature of an argument than of a simple narative of such facts as would 
assist us in tracing accomplished results to their legitimate, although 
sometimes remote, causes, and we have endeavored throughout to avoid 
such undue depth of coloring as would expose our picture to the suspi- 
cion of infidelity or exaggeration. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



51 



But before closing this preliminary chapter it will be well to enumerate 
briefly some of those principal industries and trades to which Norfolk and 
Portsmouth owe their commercial importance and prosperity, premising, 
however, that a separate and more detaile 1 notice will be devoted to eaeia, 
in its proper place, in the later pages of this edition. 

PRINCIPAL INDUSTRIES. 

A Cotton Manufacturing Company was organized in 1880 by a number 
of our citizens, assisted by a few Northern capitalist?, and is now doing an 




MAIN STREET, NORFOLK, LOOKING WEST. 

excellent trade. The success of this enterprise will no doubt provoke com- 
petition, and we may expect to see other cotton factories at work here be- 
fore long. With easy and direct access to the plantations which produce 
the raw material, as well as to the great coal fields of Western Virginia, it 
must be obvious that our position is favorable as compared with the New 
England States, and there is no reason that we know of why Norfolk and 
Portsmouth should not become a great cotton manufacturing centre as well 
as a great cotton market and seaport. Distance and a severe climate are the 



52 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

natural enemies to the manufacturing industries, and against these our 
rivals at the North must always have to contend. 

The consideration of the cotton question, in its various stages, and of 
the great benefits which it has conferred and continues to confer upon our 
Port, suggest to us the advisability of manufacturing the bagging in 
which it is baled, and thus again entering into competition with the 
Northern factories. At present the jute of which this bagging is made is 
imported in its crude condition to New York where it is manufactured 
and sold at a large profit to Southern consumers. Of the manufactured 
article some 4,000,000, yards pass through Norfolk annually, and it has 
occured to us that this would be an admirable point for both its importa- 
tion and manufacture. It could be carried here at small expense by cotton 
ships, which seldom arrive with a full cargo, and the cheapness of labor 
in this vicinity, combined with our excellent lines of transportation to the 
cotton region, would enable us to compete successfully with those less 
favorably circumstanced. We may mention that a very good quality of 
jute has been grown in the Eastern Counties of Carolina, and we have no 
doubt that extended experiments would result in its profitable and perma- 
nent cultivation. 

Before leaving the* subject of Cotton, it will not be amiss to mention the 
increasing demand for Oil Cake which is made of compressed cotton-seed 
and is shipped in large quantities to Great Britain and the Continent as a 
condition-food for cattle. It is a lucrative and growing branch of trade 
and we would suggest the advantage of conducting it in this neighbor- 
hood, and thus securing for our people the additional benefit of manufac- 
turing this article at the shipping port. 

The manufacture of Fertilizers in our immediate vicinity has, of late 
years, grown to be one of our most important industries, and therearenow 
several flourishing factories for this commodity within a very short dis* 
tance of the City, which, between them, have almost monopolized the 
trade of the Eastern sections of Virginia and the Carolinas. Baltimore 
and Philadelphia still supply hundreds of thousands of bags in which 
these Fertilizers are packed, but a bag factory has been established in 
Petersburg, Va., and it is reasonable to expect that Norfolk, being such a 
large consumer, will shortly follow the good example set by our sister 
City. 

SHIP BUILDING FACILITIES. 

Ship Building is another industry for which our port is admirably 
adapted, but which has hitherto been sadly and unaccountably neglected. 
Nowhere can be found a situation better suited by Nature and circum- 
stances for carrying on this business than Norfolk Harbor, and yet it has 
never been attempted here by private enterprise, on any considerable scale, 
since the infancy of the first settlement, now more than two centuries ago. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



53 



We have " ample room and verge enough," together with a sufficient depth 
of water, for building and launching the largest vessels, while an abund- 
ance of wood and iron ot the best quality, is near at hand, and therefore com- 
paratively cheap. Add to this the important consideration that in our 
temperate climate active out-door work can be carried on, almost without 
interruption, during the whole year, and the pertinent question, "Why 
is not Norfolk Harbor one of the great ship-building stations of the 
world? " will be difficult to answer. But here, again, we are constrained 
to express our firm conviction that some considerable portion of the enor- 




BLUE RIDGE SPRINGS, N. & W. R. R.— View from Wild Cat Knob. 

■inous accumulations of capital now lying almost idle in many parts of 
the couutry nrust, ere long, seek just such investments as we have indi- 
cated above. '• Some day," too, we may reasonably expect some enterpris- 
ing capitalists to construct a Sectional Dry Dock which is indispensable 
to the thorough overhauling of ships in need of repairs. The want of 
such an institution has already proved a serious d.uiwback to our commer- 
cial progress and if we desire the establishments regular and permanent 
lines of foreign or coastwise steamships, with Norfolk or Portsmouth as 
one of their termini, we must make such provision .for their repair as ac- 



54 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

cident or decay may render necessary, instead of sending them off to other 
ports in search of suitable accommodations. 

WRECKING. 

But it affords us pleasure and encouragement to be able, in this connec- 
tion, to refer to a corporation whose services have already been extremelv 
valuable and promise to become still more so as its business .and facilities 
increase — we mean the Baker Salvage Company, of Norfolk, — the only 
wrecking company operating on this coast, south of New York. Five 
years have not yet elapsed since its incorporation, but it has saved pro- 
perty of the aggregate value of several millions of dollars, and is at the 
present time engaged on important salvage work at many points on the 
coast of North and South America. Several ocean steamers, with valu+ 
able cargoes, and innumerable schooners and other small craft, which 
would have become total losses but for their timely service, have been 
floated, rescued and brought safely into port by expeditions sent out by 
this enterprising company, which is composed and officered exclusively by 
practical business men of this locality. The company owns two steamers, 
three sailing vessels and several pontoons, together with complete and 
abundant wrecking apparatus, and can fit out and dispatch an expedition 
at a moment's notice, to the relief of any vessel in distress, and there are 
several steamers and other craft now carrying valuable freights and earn> 
ing handsome profits for their owners, which have been raised from the 
bed of the ocean by the efficient crews in the employ of the Baker Salvage 
Company, whose existence at this central point on the seaboard should 
alone prove a strong argument with ships' captains in favor of seeking a 
cargo to or from this port. 

SUMMARY. 

Of the lumber trade of this district we have already said sufficient to 
indicate its magnitude and importance, which are still on the increase- 
Year by year new saw-mills spring into existence and extensive additions 
are made to the old ones. Huge piles of lumber are to ba seen on our 
wharves in every direction, awaiting shipment, and the value of this one 
commodity manufactured and handledjiere annually may be reckoned by 
millions of dollars. 

We have also several Peanut "factories," supplied with patented ma- 
chinery for polishing and cleaning the hulls of these tuberous delicacies. 
These factories employ several hundreds of hands, principally females, 
and are therefore a great boon to the community. Norfolk handles about 
five-sixths of the whole Virginia crop, which is distributed from this point 
over the North and West. 

There are many other interests busily at work in our two Cities which 
add their welcome quota to the general welfare and furnish thousands of 
our industrious people with the means of earning a sure and comfortable 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



55 



livelihood, and these will receive due attention under their appropriate 
heads. 

But before closing our sketch and proceeding to the consideration of 
the hard facts and figures upon which it is based, we will venture to tax 
the patience of our indulgent readers for a few more minutes while we 
briefly review some of the more superficially apparent characteristics of 
our thriving and progressive Sea-port. 

To begin with, our streets present at all times a scene of active, healthy 
and cheerful industry, such as would have met with the warm approval 
of the Apostle who admonished the Romans to be '• not slothful in busi- 
ness," and the observant visitor is at once impressed with the fact that 
the community is fully alive to the value of time and opportunity. Many 
of our resident families are of British descent, and the social traditions of 
the Mother Country have not been entirely extinguished. Vulgarity 
and snobbery, in all their forms, are as intolerable here as in the Capitals 
of Europe, while there is a total absence from our society of that exclu- 
siveness which would refuse to the stranger, just because he is a stranger, 
a hearty and cordial welcome. 

We have an excellent Street Eailway service 
which already reduces distance, within the 
corporate limits of Norfolk, to insignificance, 
and extensions are now contemplated which 
will connect the central business thorough- 
fares with the most populous and important 
suburban points. Our Hotel accommoda- 
tions are almost perfect. Our system of 
Pnblic Schools is excellent, while our Private 
Seminaries, both for girls and boys, are of a 
very superior order, and take front rank 
among the many institutions in which our 
citizens take just and honest pride. Norfolk's 
business men, moreover, have taken the in- 
home savings bank, Norfolk, itiative, so for as Virginia is concerned, in 
providing a first-class educational establishment on a strictly commercial 
basis, and the Norfolk College for Young Ladies, one of the most 
flourishing schools in the South, is the property of a local joint-stock 
company. 

Churches, representing all religious denominations and every school of 
architecture, are to be met with at frequent intervals, and Asylums, Hos- 
pitals, and other monuments to the divinely implanted benevolence of the 
human heart, occupy some of the most conspicuous sites in both Cities. 
Our Public Buildings also compare favorably with any in the country, 
while our Banks, Stores and Warehouses reflect the utmost credit upon 
the enterprise of our business men. 




56 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

THE LOCAL PRESS. 

Norfolk and Portsmouth probably support more newspapers than any 
other Cities of their size and population in the United States, if not in 
the world. In Norfolk there are four dailies, the Landmark and Virgin- 
ian being published in the morning, and the Public Ledger and Evening 
Neivs in the afternoon. Besides Ihese, with their weekly editions, there 
are four excellent weekly papers, the Sunday Gazette, the Weekly Herald, 
the Democratic Banner and the County Farmer and Trucker. In her 
Sister Cky, across the river, are published the Portsmouth Enterprise 
and Portsmouth Times, daily, the Tidewater Times, Portsmouth Ob. 
server and Baptist Companion, weekly. All of these journals enjoy a good 
circulation and a liberal advertising patronage, and exercise a useful influ- 
ence through the extensive territory which they overspread. 

As corporations, our credit is high and our taxes low. We have abund- 
ant banking facilities, together with a patriotic disposition on the part of 
our financial institutions to promote legitimate business enterprise. Our 
Eire Departments and Water Supply are exceptionally good, and our sys- 
tem of Drainage is perfect. Moreover, Norfolk two years ago adopted the 
Brush-Swan Electric Light for her streets and public buildings, and the 
fall of night upon the land is now but a signal for a brilliant illumina- 
tion of her thoroughfares. 

RECREATIONS. 

In the matter of amusements Norfolk and Portsmouth are by no means 
* badly off. Van Wyck's Academy of Music, in Norfolk, is one of the hand- 
somest and most perfectly equipped Opera Houses -in the whole country, 
and a week rarely passes, during the Fall and Winter months, in the 
course of which its boards are not occupied by the leading dramatic or 
operatic talent of the day. She has also an excellent amateur musical 
association, of which Santa Cecilia is the tutelary patroness. This Society 
has a numerous membership from among our " best people "—ladies and 
gentlemen — and gives freqnent public entertainments, assisted by profes- 
sional artistes. Oxford Hall, Portsmouth, is also a popular place of 
amusement and first-class talent is frequently to be seen on its boards. 
Shooting and fishing afford endless delight to the sportsman, for game 
and fish are plentiful. Capital fox-hunting can always be had in our 
immediate neighborhood in the Winter, while boating excursions and 
trips to the seaside, riding and driving, surf-bathing and yachting can 
here be indulged in to the heart's content during the balmy months of Sum- 
mer, which melt away only too quickly, like the bright enchantment of a 
dream. And in addition to these enjoyments which belong to our vicinity 
and may be had for little more than the mere trouble of accepting, our 
residents and visitors can at any time board one of the splendid passen- 
ger boats and take a coasting trip either North or South, or on the lovely 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 57 

Bay of Chesapeake, or else they can with equal ease take the train, and 
after a few hours' comfortable travel through exquisite scenery, reach the 
grand and picturesque uplands of Western Virginia where many marvels 
of Nature and art await their admiration ; as, for instance, the Colossal 
Natural Bridge of Virginia, near Lexington ; the wonderful and fantas- 
tic Caverns of Luray; the health-restoring mineral springs at Blue Ridge 
and elsewhere; the boundless Forests, the noble streams and leaping 
waterfalls — to say nothing of the busy mines and furnaces, tunnels and 
viaducts, which bear witness to the ingenuity of industrious man. 

A SUGGESTION. 

It is well known to those who have honored the pages of " Norfolk as a 
Business Centre " with their careful perusal, that we have always been 
strongly in favor not only of extending the City limits of Norfolk so as to 
include the outlying villages of Atlantic City, Brambleton and Berkley, 
with the intermediate land now lying waste, but also of the much grander 
scheme of consolidating with it the City of Portsmouth and its suburbs, 
thus forming one large and influential municipality of nearly sixty thou- 
sand inhabitants, having one government, one splendid harbor, one citi- 
zenship, one name, one identity and one common interest. Within the 
broad area of the new City's boundaries there would be plenty of room for 
everything except those small jealousies which have heretofore been known 
to mar the ought-to-be harmonious relations between the respective inha- 
bitants of the " Twin Cities." Such a measure as we have indicated 
would result in the reduction of public expenses, together with the 
greatly enhanced value of real and personal property, and, above all, the 
consolidated corporation would rejoice in that added self-respect which 
belongs of right to numerical greatness, and also in that strength which 
proverbially attaches to Union. 

Once more we avail ourselves of the opportunity now afforded of urg- 
ing upon our readers and the public-spirited members of each community 
the advisability, if not necessity, of bringing about this amalgamation of 
our interests and our forces, in order tuat we may, with recruited energy 
and redoubled power, assert our proper position among the great Cities of 

the Nation. 

CONCLUSION. 

We now lay aside our pencil, for our sketch is completed. It is but an 
outline-drawing at the best ; but it has been our honest desire to produce 
a faithful portrait rather than a nattering picture, and we leave it to the 
intelligent and impartial public to decide whether our work shall be 
awarded the credit which we have striven to secure for it, or be consigned 
as a failure to the pitiful doom of perpetual obscurity. We frankly admit 
that the foregoing essay is sadly deficient in literary merit ; but, as we 



58 



NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



have claimed nothing for it on that score, the fear of adverse criticism has 
not alloyed the gratefulness of our task. 

Our object has been to direct the attention of the outside world to the 
natural and acquired advantages of our busy Sea-port asatrreat Commer- 
cial Centre, where capital can always find safe and profitable investment 
and where honest labor can at all times command steady and lucrative em- 
ployment; also, to point out to our own people how these advantages 
might in some respects be improved and developed. If this has been 
accomplished we are more than satisfied. 

To those who have never visited our shores we extend a warm invita- 
tion and promise a cordial welcome. To our fellow citizens of Norfolk 
and Portsmouth we tender our hearty congratulations upon the continued 
and marked improvement which their trade has shown in all its branches- 
From all we would ask a patient perusal of this volume to its end, for it 
contains the record of a busy, thriving and virtuous community. 




«S§l 




,M 



ar 



ClffiMTS. 



60 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



OUR BUSINESS EXCHANGES. 




THE MERCHANTS' AND MANUFACTURERS' EXCHANGE OF 
NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



TOHIS important aud influential organization, which takes the place 
of a Board of Trade among the Merchants, Manufacturers and 
Shippers of the "Twin Cities," was revived and reconstituted in 
1883, and is now in active and useful operation. Its objects are to dissem- 
inate general commercial information, reconcile differences, adjust claims, 
regulate freights, watch over and protect the mercantile interests of the 
double sea-port and oppose all attempts, no matter where, when, or by 
whom they may be made, to discriminate in any way to her disadvantage. 
The membership of this Exchange is numerous and comprises the leading 
business men and firms among the Bankers, Manufacturers, Merchants, 
Shippers and Wholesale dealers of both Cities. The following gentlemen 
compose the present officers and managers of the Exchange, and their 
names cannot fail to inspire the utmost confidence among those who main- 
tain commercial relations with Norfolk and Portsmouth: President, D. 
S. Burwell ; First Vice-President, T. A, Williams ; Second Vice-President, 
J. F. Cecil; Treasurer, R. A. Dobie; Secretary, E. B. Freeman; Superin- 
tendent, J. M. Widgeon ; Board of Managers, C A. Nash, R. Y. Zachary, 
C. A. Woodward, W. M. Hannah, Jas. T. Borum and M. L. T. Davis. 
The Exchange was re-organized, as above, on the 1st of January, 1886, 
and numbers among its active members most of the leading business 
houses of Norfolk and Portsmouth. Its offices are at No. 88 Water Street, 
on the corner of Commerce Street. Judging from past results, it is per- 
fectly safe to predict that, the usefulness of this Association will increase, 
year by year, in proportion to the demands made upon it by our constantly 
increasing trade. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 61 

THE NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH COTTON EXCHANGE 

was organized in 1 874, and incorporated in 1877. It is almost impossible 
to estimate the advantages which have acorued to our commercial in- 
terests through the labors of this most useful Corporation, but that the 
results of its supervision have been immensely beneficial is apparent to 
all those who are interested in the movement of Cotton to and beyond 
this Port. Here, as elsewhere, the receipts during the past two years 
have been light when compared with the immediately preceding seasons, 
"but," to quote from the Secretary's last annual report to the President 
and Board of Directors of our Cotton Exchange, dated August 31st, 1885, 
« notwithstanding this, the direct exports show a material increase during 
the same period, thus demonstrating that the reputation of the Port, both 
as a market and a shipping point, has been well maintained in the leading 
Cotton marts of Great Britain and the Continent. ' The splendid facilities 
for the handling and shipment of cotton which have signalized this Port, 
through its powerful Compresses and its magnificent coastwise lines of steam- 
ships have been further augmented by the opening of the New York, Phila- 
delphia & Norfolk Railroad, which commenced operations in November 
last." 

The Cotton Exchange Building is situated on Water Street, at a conve- 
nient distance from the warehouses and offices of the principal houses 
engaged in this branch of our trade. The membership list of this Ex- 
change bears the names of all the leading Cotton factors, dealers and 
brokers of both Cities. Its officers are: President, W. H. Holmes ; Vice- 
President, J. N. Vaughan; Treasurer, W. D. Rountree ; Superintendent 
and Secretary, Norman Bell ; Board of Directors, E. Fachiri, G. S. 
Frangopulo, E. C. Brooks, Adam Tredwell and M. L. Enre. 

The Association has always been under excellent management, as is 
evident by the good work it has accomplished. In fact it is not easy to 
understand how our Cotton trade prospered as it did before the Exchange 
was organized twelve years ago, and it is Still more difficult to imagine 
how it would now get along at all without the assistance and guidance of 
this Corporation. 



•W&Jitf&V 



62 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



RAILROADS. 



P§0 nothing more than to the railroads terminating at this point, do 
Norfolk and Portsmouth owe their material advancement, and 
scarcely any sea-port along the middle Atlantic coast enjoys greater 
facilities of the kind. The Norfolk & Western (formerly the Atlantic, 
Mississippi & Ohio) Railroad, with its connections, traversing the States 
of Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, and intersect- 
ing other trunk lines throughout the West and Southwest, covering 
thereby an immense "freight field," rich and varied in its wonderful 
natural resources ; the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad, extending to Weldon, 
North Carolina, and being the connecting link between Portsmouth and 
the great "Atlantic Coast Line," a system reaching as far south as Jack- 
sonville, Florida, and traversing a large portion ot the "Cotton Belt;" 
the gigantic Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad system, now terminating at 
Newport's News, but soon to reach Norfolk directly by means of immense 
barges, transporting the loaded freight cars, and thus giving unbroken 
communication with the Pacific coast; the New York, Philadelphia & 
Norfolk Railroad, from Cape Charles, on the Eastern Peninsula of Vir- 
ginia, to Delmar, Delaware, and thence over the Pennsylvania Lines to 
Philadelphia and New York, shortening the distance between this poiut 
and the great Northern markets by eight hours ; the Norfolk Southern 
Railroad from Norfolk to Elizabeth City and Edenton, North Carolina, a 
short line, but one that furnishes a fair qu >ta of traffic — these lines, all 
under active and intelligent control, have sought deep water in Norfolk 
harbor, which, as a consequence, both as a port of foreign trade and as a 
local business centre, is, as proven by statistics, making such cheering 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 63 

progress as to confirm the hope that this may yet become the leading 
sea-port between New York and New Orleans, and cause even those two 
great marts of trade to look well to their laurels. 

In addition to the above lines, there are others now under contempla- 
tion, which, when completed, will greatly stimulate the growth and traffic 
of the Sister Cities. 

The Chicago & Norfolk Railroad, an air line route between these two 
cities, is being considered by foreign capitalists, and surveys of a part of 
the distance have been made. 

Surveys, too, have been made for a proposed lire from Norfolk to tap 
the Richmond & Danville System, at Goldsboro, North Carolina, a plan, 
which, if consummated, will prove of immense value to Norfolk and Ports- 
mouth, and connect us with over 4,000 miles of rail through a highly 
prosperous section. 

Of roads that are purely local, Norfolk has two, the Virginia Beach 
Railroad and the Ocean View Railroad, both short, narrow-gauge lines, 
connecting the city, as their names would indicate, with adjacent watering 
places. These lines do a fine freight and passenger business, and have 
opened up a good truck section. 

From the above exhibit, it will be seen that Norfolk and Portsmouth 
are pre-eminently blessed in the matter of rail connection with all points 
of the United States. 




64 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

Norfolk and Western R. R. 

The Great Trunk Line to the South and West. 

THE MOST IMPOKTANT LINK IN THE 

Great Southern Mail and Kennesaw Routes. 



STEEL RAILS! 

WELL BALLASTED! 

THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED! 



WM THE MOST POTES1UE PORTION OF VIRGINIA 

From Tide-water to the Mountains. 

L0C7IMD 7m0]MG I¥g M^E ^RE 

THE PEAKS OF OTTER, 

THE POPULAR BLUE RIDGE SPRINGS, 
ALLEGHANY SPRINGS, 

MONTGOMERY WHITE vSULPHUR, 
YELLOW SULPHUR, 

SALT POND MOUNTAIN, 

and other resorts where, every season, gather thousands from all sections 
of the Union, seeking Health and Pleasure. 



Close Connections at Junction Points with diverg- 
ing Roads North, South, East and West. 



Guide Books to Springs and Summer Kesorts and Schedules of Trains 
mailed free to any address, upon application to 

J±. POPE, 

General Pas. & Ticket Agent, ROANOKE, VA. 
CHAS. G. EDDY, Vice-President. I JOSEPH H. SANDS, General' Manager. 



TO KORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 85 

THE OLD RELIABLE ! 



Ha, Tennessee ani deoma Air Line. 



JSL 

; FROM 



oston, Providence, flew Y or k, 
Philadelphia & Baltimore. 



AND FROM 



i*» - o 

TO .A-T^L POINTS 

SOUTH AND SOUTH-WEST. 

^Through Rates Given and Quick Time Made. All Claims for Losses, 
Damages or Overcharges promptly Adjusted. 

THIS T^HVIE IS COMPOSED OF 

Merchants' & Miners' Transportation Co. from Boston and Providence ; Old Do- 
minion S. S. Co. from New York ; Phila., Wilmington & Balto. R E and 
Clyde Line Steamers from Philadelphia ; Baltimore Steam Packet Co. 
from Balihnore ; Norfolk and Western (A. M. & O.) R. R. ; 
East T>nn , Va. & Georgia R. R. ; Memphis & Charleston R. R. Nashville. Chat. 
& St. Louis R. R. : Western & Atlantic R. R. ; Vickburg & Meridian R R. : 
Mobile & Ohio R. R.. Illinois Cental R. R., and their connections. 

Have Tour Goods Marked: VA.,TENJST.& G-A. AIR LINE. 

AGENTS : 

C PGAITHER - - --•'•- 290 WASHINGTON STREET. BOSTON 

E. H.ROCKWELL, - - - - INDIA POINT, PROVIDENCE 

I. R. WEST LAKE, - - - NEW YORK AGENT 

JOHNS WILSON - - - 44 S. FIFTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA 

W P CLYDE & CO., - - - 12 SOUTH WHARVES, PHILADELPHIA 

W. H. FITZGERALD, - - 157 W. BALTIMORE STREET, BALTIMORE 

;r. •/'. /'A IJVE, Forwarding Agent, Norfolk, Ya. 

W. 8. FftAJVJB'ZIJV, Auditor Claims and Expenses, Norfolk, Ya. 

%ffOMAS 'PIJVCJS.JVE2", Gen'l. Eastern Afft., 303 'Broadway, JV. )'. 



66 GENERAL AtfD COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO RAILWAY 

SHORTEST, QUICKEST AND BEST 

KOITTE TO 

Connecting with Fast Express for Louisville and Cincinnati. 
PULLMAN CARS RUN THROUGH TO THE WEST. 




RUNNING 

Two Trains tit Cacfi Birectioti 

BETWEEN 

And the only Line by which merchants of one city can visit 
the other and return the same day. 
Leave Norfolk by C. & 0. transfer Steamer John Romer, 
connecting with Chesapeake and Ohio trains at Newport 

News. 

fflE C|IES£PE£P iW W» 

Is the Great Summer Eesort Line of America. Send to one of the Agents 
of the Company for Descriptive Catalogues. 



I! 

Ever Displayed from a Car Window. 

Ticket Offices in Norfolk, under Atlantic Hotel, W. T. Walke, Ticket 
A^ent; at the Purcell House, W. J. Flouknoy, Agent; at Portsmouth, 
Va., W. V. H. Williams, Ticket Agent; at Old Point Comfort, in the 
Hygeia Hotel, J. N. Smith, Ticket Agent; and on board Steamer John 
Romer. 

C. W. SMITH, H. W. FULLER. 

General Manager, General Pass. Agent. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. Stf 

New York, Phila. k Norfolk R.R. Co., 

DOUBLE DAILY PASSENGER and FREIGHT LINE 

BETWEEN 

Norfolk, Portsmouth, Old Point Comfort and BALTIMORE,Wilmington, 
Philadelphia, New York, Boston and all Points East and West. 
Passenger Trains only 11 hours between New York and Norfolk. 
Pullman Palace and Parlor Cars are ran through without transfer. 
The only Line by which passengers are not subjected to transfers. 

Fast Freight Trains composed of Cars built expressly for the transpor- 
tation of Vegetables and other perishable freight are run between Nor- 
folk and Philadelphia, New York and Boston, daily except Sundays, 
affording a great saving in time over all other lines. 

Freight Cars are Run Through from Norfolk 

1 TO ) 

PHILADELPHIA, NEW Y0f[K AND 

^VOIDING REOTDMN6 0F flLIi BUgipf^.** 



iyj>f n§t@t arf o ilgk liiih 



Connections at Norfolk with all water lines to North Carolina ; the 
Norfolk and Western R. R. and Norfolk Southern Railroad; at Ports- 
mouth with the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad and the Atlantic Coast 
Line ; at Del mar with the Pennsylvania Railroad— over all of which 
through rates and Bills of Lading are issued. 

Tickets on Sale ai All Principal Dices North and South. 

Ft. B. COOKE, 

General "Passenger and Freig?it Agent, 
NORFOLK, VA. 



68 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

Norfolk Southern Railroad Company. 



THE QUICK AND RELIABLE DAILY ROUTE TO 

EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA, 
FOn FREIGHT AIVI> PASSENGERS. 



(Lt; COMXflTECTICmS s-S 

ELIZABETH CITY, 

With Old Dominion Steamship Company's Steamers.Shenandoah and Newberne,for Newberne. 
Washington and all points on Neuse, 1 rent and Tar Rivers. 

Also with Company's Steamers. MARY E ROBERTS and MARTHA E DICKERMAN, 
which leave Elizabeth City every Tuesday and Friday night, for Columbia, bpruils Bridge, 
Creswell, Mantio, Fairfield, Cum Neck, and other landings on the Pasquotank, North, Little, 
Scuppernong and Alligator Rivers. 

EDENTON, 
With Roanoke. Norfolk and Baltimore steamboat Company's, U. S. Mail Steamer Plymouth, 
daily for all landings on the Roanoke River, connecting at Jamesville with J . & vv. it. K lor 
Washington, and at Williamston, with trains of Albemarleand Raleigh Rail Road for Tarboro 
and other stations. 

Connection is made with Steamers for Windsor and for points on the Cashie and Chowan 
Rivers 

Through rates to all points and close connection at Norfolk with Steam Lines to and from 
Baltimore. Philadelphia, New York, Boston, etc. 

Through tickets on sale at Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York and at princi pal Stations. 

H. C. HUDG-INS, 

General Freight and Pass. Agent. 
M. K. KING. 

General Manager. 



ATLANTIC COAST 
LINE. 



SEABOARD AIR 
LINE. 



EXPRESS, FREIGHT d PASSE1R LIS m POBTSMWL 

BETWEEN ALL POINTS 

NORTH MD SOUTH. 



Ship via. the following Steamship Lines : 

Boston. *) Merchants' and Miners' Transportation Co. 

Providence. J 

New York Old Dominion S. S. O. 

Philadelphia Clyde Line 

Baltimore Baltimore Steam Packet Co 

For further information apply to 

SOL HAAS, Traffic Manager. 



fb NORFOLK AND PORTSMOTTTH, 



SP 



STEAMSHIP AND STEAMBOAT LINES. 




W^ I 1% ' 




i 

4 



- — - . ''^csr 



-JHORFOLK'S magnificent harbor and her central position on the At- 
ri|] lantic seaboard of the United States have combined to make her a 
4- ^. most important Sea-port, and the enormous quantities of produce 
which almost naturally find their way here for shipment led, even in the 
earliest days of her commercial growth, to the establishment of regular 
lines of sailing vessels to carry away her accumulations of cotton, grain and 
other mercantile commodities to distant American and foreign markets. 
In due course of time steam superceded canvas, and the lines of sailing 
vessels trading with Norfolk were replaced by the predecessors of the mag- 
nificent lines of steamers which now make regu'ar and frequent trips to 
and from tliis point. When business was resumed after the close of the 
civil war, in 1865, a few steamers of indifferent construction and limited 
capacity were put upon our waters, but as trade grew, and the demand for 
increased facilities became more imperative, larger, finer and greatly im- 
proved vessels for passenger and freight traffic were added from time to time 



,70 GENERAL AKD COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

and the old ones withdrawn. It is not our intention to give any lengthy his- 
tory of the various lines now carrying our trade, nor to enter into detailed des- 
cription of the magnificent steamships employed, for it would require 
great space and greater skill to do justice to the subject, but we are con- 
strained to say that the management of these lines is in-the hands of most 
competent men who fully appreciate the requirements of our trade and 
exercise great energy and ability in the conduct of our immense transpor- 
tation business, which has made our- -harbor-famous among the great sea- 
ports of the world. 

The various railroads terminating at Norfolk and Portsmouth form the 
inland connections of these steamship lines, and through bills of lading 
are issued between all points in the United States. 

THE OLD DOMINION STEAMSHIP COMPANY. 

Among the many great institutions which lend their aid in developing 
Norfolk's commercial importance and in establishing her claim to be 
ranked among the leading sea-ports of the nation, the Old Dominion 
Steamship Company is undoubtedly entitled to the most prominent men- 
tion. In 1867, when the echoes of the terrible Civic Strife had hardly 
died away, and Virginia lay crushed in spirit and bankrupt in resources, 
this Company was established in succession to the old New York and Vir- 
ginia Steamship Company, and has since that date gradually increased in 
wealth and favor until it has become one of the most substantial and in- 
fluential corporations in the country. Its magnificent fleet of ocean and 
river steamers ply between this port and New York, City Point, Rich- 
mond, Newbern aud Washington, (North Carolina") and many minor 
points on the sounds and rivers of the Old North State, aud also to Hamp- 
ton, Old Point, Fortress Monroe, Smithfield, Cherrystone, Yorktowu and 
Matthews. The fleet comprises about twenty-five iron and wooden vessels 
aggregating over 20,000 tons burthen. 

The distance between New York and Norfolk is 285 nautical miles, and 
the steamers of this line generally make the trip in twenty-five hours, 
with great regularity. 

The passenger accommodations of the Old Dominion steamships are of 
the most comfortable and luxurious character ; the saloons are substan- 
tially and elegantly furnished, the tables well supplied, and in fact the 
vessels are wanting in nothing calculated to make a trip upon them enjoy- 
able in the extreme. During the Company's career of nineteen years 
not a single life entrusted to its care has been lost. Through the worst 
storms and series of marine disasters these steamships have always passed 
in perfect safety. When the larger of them steam up the river they look 
as though they were conscious of their beauty, and under the skillful man- 
agement of their officers, glide quickly but majestically into their docks, 
there to be relieved of their immense cargoes. 



16 NORfrOtK AKD PORTSMOUTH. 71 

The parent offices of the Company are at 235 West Street, New York. 
The principal officers are: Commodore N. L. McCready, President; Jno. 
M. Robinson, Vice-President; W. II. Stanford, Secretary and II. A. 
Bourne, Superintendent. In Norfolk Messrs. Culpepper and Turner 
represent the Company's interests, with their office on the extensive 
wharf property on Water Street, immediately at the foot of Church. In 
every department of the Company's service experience and efficiency are 
the stepping-stones to preferment. 

The following is a list of the principal steamers owned by the Old Do- 
minion Steamship Company : 

The Roanoke, iron propeller, passengers and freight, 2,354 tons; Geo. W. Couch, 
master; New York. Norfolk, City Point and Richmond. 

The Guyandotte, iron propeller, passengers and freight, 2,354 tons; J. A. 
Kelley, master; New York, Norfolk, Newport's News and West Point. 

The Old Dominion, iron side-wheel steamship, passengers and freight, 2,222 
tons; J. A. Smith, master; New York, Norfolk, City Point and Richmond. 

The Wyanoke, iron side-wheel steamship, passengers and freight, 2,0(38 tons; 
J. G. Hulphers, master: New York, Norfolk, City Point, and Richmond, 

The Richmond, iron propeller, passengers and freight, 1,43(J tons; Richard 
Boaz, master; New York, Norfolk, Newport's News and West Point. 

The Manhattan, iron propeller, passengers and freight, 1,400 tons: Frank 
Stevens, master; New York, Norfolk, City Point and Richmond. 

The Seneca, iron propeller, passengers and freight, 3,000 tons; G. M. Walker, 
master; New York, Norfolk, Newport's News and West Point. 

The Breakwater, iron propeller, passengers and freight, 1,110 tons; N. H. 
Jenny, master; New York, Norfolk, City Point and Richmond. 

The Northampton, wooden side-wheeler, passengers and freight, 400 tons; P. 
McCarrick, master; daily between Norfolk and ( dd Point and tri-weekly between 
Norfolk, Cherrystone, Matthews, Ware River (Gloucester County) and Poquosin 
River. 

The Accomac, wooden side-wheeler, passengers and freight, 434 tons; O. G. 
Delk, master; daily except Sundav, between Norfolk, Nausemond River and 
Suffolk. 

The Shenandoah, wooden side-wheeler, passengers and freight, 330 tons; T. M. 
Southgate, master; between Elizabeth City and Newbern, connecting with Nor- 
folk Southern Railroad. 

The Newberne, iron propeller, passengers and freight, 400 tons; W. T. Pritchett, 
master; between Elizabeth City and Washington, N. C, connecting with Norfolk 
Southern Railroad, 

The Luray, wooden side- wheeler, passengers and freight, 330 tons; George 
Schermerhorn, master; between Norfolk, Old Point, Hainjiton, Newport's News 
and Smithfield, daily except Sunday, 

THE BALTIMORE STEAM PACKET COMPANY. 

(old bay line.) 
This Company owns and operates the most magnificent passenger 
steamers on the Atlantic coast. They are the palace steamers of Chesa- 
peake Bay, being new, adapted to a high rate of speed, beautiful in form, 
substantial in construction, and furnished most sumptuously. With trav- 
ellers this line is regarded as one of the finest and best in the country ; 
forming a portion of the popular route between the North and South 
Under the able management of the president, Col. John M. Robinson, 
assisted by a corps of competent officers, the Company has become one of 
the most thoroughly equipped in the country, and has proved itself of 



*t% GEKERAI AND COMMERCIAL GtTtDE 

great service in advancing the best interests of Norfolk and Portsmouth. 

The Norfolk offices of the Company are at the Bay Line wharf, foot of 
West Main Street, and Mr. Wm, Randall is the agent. In Portsmouth, the 
Company's offices are at the depot of the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad. 

The steamers of the Bay line make close connection at Portsmouth 
with the regular passenger trains of the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad, 
for all points South and Southwest, and at Baltimore Avith the Philadel- 
phia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad, for Philadelphia, New York 
and all points North; with the Baltimore & Ohio, Northern Central, and 
Pennsylvania Railroads for the North and Northwest; with the Allan, 
Continental, West India & Pacific and Hopper & Johnson steamship 
Lines for Liverpool ; with the Continental for London and North German 
Lloyd's for Bremen. The steamers of the Bay Line are : 

The Carolina, iron side- wheeler, 984 tons, built in 1877; 75 state-rooms, passen- 
ger capacity, 500; W. C. Whittle, master. 

The Florida, wooden side-wheeler, 1,230 tons, built in 1876; 75 state-rooms, 
passenger capacity 500. 

The Virginia, "iron side-wheeler, 1,300 tons, built in 1879: 80 state-rooms; 
passenger capacity 500; W. J. Bohanan, master. 

The Seaboard, iron propeller, for freight, 602 tons. * 

The Roanoke, iron propeller: for freight, 531 tons. 

The Transit, wooden propeller, 473 tons. 

The Westover, iron propeller, tons. 

The Gaston, iron propeller, 846 tons, for freight. 

THE CLYDE LINES. 

Of the great steamship interests controlled by Messrs. W. P. Clyde & 
Co., of Philadelphia and New York, it is not within our province to treat 
in this volume, except in so far as their influence has aided the develop- 
ment of our Cities and State. Their New England lines and coast lines 
to the other seaboard States, their lines to the West Indies and South 
American ports have all, Ave believe, secured a profitable trade, but with 
them we have no concern at present. The enterprising OAvners have, Iioav- 
ever, established two lines for carrying freight to and from Norfolk and 
Portsmouth and these are under the able management of Captain James 
W. McCarrick, General Southern agent, whose office in Norfolk is at the 
Company's Avharves on Water Street. 

The following vessels compose Clyde's regular local fleet, but others are 
always ready to lend their assistance Avhen the exigencies of our large 
trade require their services ; 

The Wyoming, wooden propeller, 1,200 tons, A. J. Hines, master; Phila 
delphia, Norfolk and Richmond. 

The Pioneer, wooden propeller, 1,100 tons, S, C. Piatt, master; Philadelphia. 
Norfolk and Richmond. 

The Ashland, wooden propeller, 1,100 tons, J. S. Tunnell, master; Philadel- 
phia, Norfolk and Richmond. 

.The Goldsboro, wooden propeller, 1,000 tons, J. S. Bennett, master; Baltimore, 
Norfolk, Newbern and Washington, N. C. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 73 

The Experiment, wooden propeller, 403 tons, R. H.Cannon, master; Baltimore. 
Norfolk, Ncwbern and Washington, N. C. 

The Stout, wooden propeller, 400 tons. VV. L. Pierce, master; Baltimore, Nor- 
folk, Newbern and Washington, N. C. 

The Defiance, wooden propeller, 400 tons, J. A. Burgess, master; Baltimore, 
Norfolk, Newbern and Washington, N. C. 
. The Gulf Stream, iron propeller, l,500tons. 

The Fanita, iron propeller, COO tons. 

The Santee. wooden propeller, 700 tons. 

The Regulator, iron propeller, 1,000 tons. 

THE DISMAL SWAMP CANAL STEAMERS. 

These steamers ply regularly through the Dismal Swamp Canal and 
their cargoes are generally very large each way. Captain Henry Roberts, 
the able and energetic superintendent of the canal, is also superintendent 
of the steamboat line, and his office is on Higgins' wharf, Water Street. 
The Dismal Swamp Canal will admit sharp built vessels drawing five feet 
of water, and lighter built vessels four feet. The locks Avill admit 96 feet 
length and 16? feet breadth of beam. The steamers and their routes are 
as follows: 

Wm. B. Rogers, wooden propeller, 70 tons; Norfolk, Elizabeth City and all the 
landings on Dismal Swamp Canal. 

Thomas Newton, wooden propaller, 70 tons; Norfolk, Elizabeth City and all 
the landings on Dismal Swamp Canal. 

THE ALBEMARLE & CHESAPEAKE CANAL. 

The Great Canal System of which this forms an important link in con- 
nection with the Chesapeake & Delaware and Delaware & Raritan Canals, 
provides direct and safe inland navigation for steamboats, sailing vessels, 
rafts, &c, from New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore to Virginia, North 
Carolina and the South, avoiding the dangers and delays attending the 
outside voyage and saving insurance. This system again connects with 
the Erie Canal at New York and small steamers or vessels towed by tug 
boats can thus pass from the sounds of North Carolina to Butfalo, N. Y., 
without unloading, and thence by the great Lake routes to Chicago and 
other Western and Northwestern points. 

THE MERCHANTS' AND MINERS' TRANSPORTATION COM- 
PANY. 

This Company is one of the most useful and enterprising corporations 
having any direct influence on Norfolk's welfare, in which, of late years, 
it has been a consistent and prominent factor. By means of its magni- 
ficent line of steamships, which compare favorably with those of any line 
trading along our extended seaboard, we are brought within a forty-eight 
hours' run of Boston and thirty-six hours of Providence, R. 1. Besides 
the steamers which make their regular trips directly between these 
Northern Cities and Norfolk, there are others owned by the same Com- 
pany which extend their trips as far south as Charleston, S. C, and Sa- 



74 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GTTIDE 

vannah Ga., calling at this port when occasion requires. The spacious 
wharves at the west end of Main Street owned by the Boston Wharf and 
Warehouse Company, are occupied by the Merchants' & Miners' Trans- 
portation Company, of which latter corporation General V. D. Groner is 
the efficient general agent, with his office at this port. The vessels 
owned by the Company are as follows : 

The Chatham. 2,800 tons, Wm. F. Hallett, master. 

The Decatur H. Miller, 2,29G, tons, F. M. Howes, master; Norfolk and Boston, 

The Berkshire, 2,0 U tons, Jno. S. Marsh, Jr., master; Norfolk and Boston. 

The Alleghany, 2,014 tons, John C. Taylor, master; Norfolk and Boston. 

The George Appold, 1,4">6 tons, E. R. Warren, master; Norfolk and Pro- 
vidence. 

The Blackstone, 1,147 tons, G. W. Foster, master; Norfolk and Providence. 

The John Hopkins, 1,470 tons, H. D. Foster, master; Baltimore and Savannah, 
Ga. 

The William Crane, 1,416 tons, G. W. Billups, mrster; Baltimore and Savan- 
nah, Ga. 

The William Lawrence, 1,049 tons, E. E. Kent, master; Baltimore and Sa- 
vannah, Ga. 

The McClellan, 9.H tons, W. Snow, master; Baltimore and Charleston, S. C. 

The Saragossa, 788 tons, master: Baltimore and Charleston, S. C. 

The steamers of this Company connect here with the several Railroads 
having their termini at Norfolk, in addition to which they call at New- 
port's News and West Point where they make connection with the systems 
of the Chesapeake & Ohio and the Richmond & Danville Railroads, 
respectively. 

THE POTOMAC STEAMBOAT LINE 

between Norfolk and Washington affords at once the cheapest and most 
charming means of travel that can be thought of. The steamers are 
first-class and swift. The Potomac River is seen in all its beauty ap- 
proaching and leaving the National Capital, which is the most beautiful 
city in the world. Whether for business or pleasure, this route is the best. 
Summer or Winter. 




TO NORFOLK ANT) PORTSMOUTH. 75 

OLD DOMINION STEAMSHIP CO.'S LINES. 




TO AND FROM 

NEW YORK. 

ROANOKE, SENECA, 

G UYANDOTTE, RICHMOND, 

OLD DOMINION, WYANOKE, 

BREAKWATER. MANHATTAN, 



Passenger Steamers leave NORFOLK for NEW YORK at 6 P.M., every Mon- 
day, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and leave NEW YORK 
for NORFOLK at 3 P. M. every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. 
FOR RICHMOND— Steamers leave Norfolk every Sunday, Wednesday and 
Friday Nights, arriving at Richmond next morning. 

Steamers NORTHAMPTON, LURAY and ACCOMACK, sailing daily, except 
Sunday, run a regular morning and afternoon schedule between Norfolk, Old 
Point, Hampton, Newport's News, Smithfield, Nansemond River, and Suffolk 
and make tri-weekly trips to Cherrystone, Mathew-s, Poquosen and Ware Rivers- 
Steamers leave Norfolk for Cherrystone and Poquosin River, every Monday. 
Wednesday and Friday A. M., and for Mathews and Ware River, every Tuesday, 
Thursday and Saturday A. M. 

For Newberne and Washington, N C, and Points on Neuse. Trent. Tar and 
Pamlico Rivers. Steamers Shenandoah and Newberne. leave Elizabeth City, N. C, 
every Monday and Thursday, connecting with trains of the Norfolk Southern Rail- 
road. 
For further information apply to 

CULPEPER & TURNER. 

AGENTS. 



£6 



GEN-ERA'!, A"NT> COMMERCIAL "6rrTr>E 




BAY LINE 



FLORIDA, 
CAROLINA, 
VIRGINIA, 
GASTON, 



STEAMERS 



ROANOKE, 
SEABOARD, 
WESTOVER. 



IE! FOB Ml 




iBETWiEESisif 
Baltimore, Old Poiut, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and all Points 

MMBl* AMI BAUTMrBBf'. 



Passenger Steamers leave BALTIMORE daily, except Sundays, from foot of 
Union Dock, at 7 P. M., and from Canton Wharf at 8:45 P. M., on arrival of 
Express Train, which leaves NEW YORK at 4 P. M., and PHILADELPHIA 
at 6 P.M. 

Passengers leave WASHINGTON at 5:30 P. M., connecting with Steamer at 
Canton Wharf. Connect at PORTSMOUTH with Express Train of Seaboard and 
Roanoke R. R. for all points South. 

Going NORTH leave PORTSMOUTH at 5:45 P.M., NORFOLK at 6:15 P. M..and 
connect at Canton Wharf, BALTIMORE, with Express Train for PHILADEL- 
PHIA and NEW YORK, reaching PHILADELPHIA at 11 A. M., and NEW 
YORK at 1 P. M. The BAY LINE also connects at BALTIMORE for WASHING- 
TON CITY and all points WEST and NORTH-WEST. 

THE BAY LINE DAILY FREIGHT ROUTE 

Connects BALTIMORE, via the Virginia. Tennessee and Georgia Air Line at NOR- 
FOLK, with all poiuts in South-Side and South-Western Virginia, Tennessee, 
Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi ; aud via the Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard 
Air. Line at PORTSMOUTH, with all points in North and South Carolina, Geor^ 
gia, and all points South and South-west. Connects Norfolk and Portsmouth, 
via Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and Northern Central Railway, with all 
points West, via " North German Lloyd's Line ;" with Bremen, via " Allan," 
;' Continental." "West India and Pacific," " Hooper and Johnston's" Steam- 
ship Lines for Liverpool; via " Continental" Line for London and Harve ; via 
"Tully" Line for London and Newcastle-on-Tyne — over all of which through 
Bills of Lading and rates are issued. 

Freight Received and Forwarded Twice Daily, Except Sunday: 



W. RANDALL., Agent. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 

CLYDE'S 



-■ . 





BETWEEN 
New York and Charleston, S. C. 
New York and Wilmington, N. C. 

New York, Hayti & San Domingo. 
Philadelphia, Richmond & Norfolk. 
Philadelphia and New York. 

Philadelphia and Charleston, S. C. 
Philadelphia and Washington, D. C. 
and Alexandria, Va. 

Baltimore, Norfolk, Newberne, 

and Washington, N. C. 

Philadelphia, Richmond and Norfolk Line. 

WM. P. CLYDE & CO., General Managers, 

No. 35 Broadway, New York, - 12 South Wharves, Philada. 
JAS. W. McCARRICK, Gen'l Southern Agent, Norfolk,Ya. 



78 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



FOR BOSTON AND PROVIDENCE, 

The Merchants' and Miners' Transportation Co. 
THE ONLY'DIRECT LINE. 



THE SPLENDID STEAMSHIPS 

CHATHAM, Captain Wm. A. Halleti, 

D. H. MILLER, Captain Frank M. Howes, 

BERKSHIRE, Captain F. S. March, Jr. 
ALLEGHANY, Captain Jno. C. Taylor, 

JOHNS ^HOPKINS, Captain H. D. Foster, 

GEO. APPOLD, Captain F F Warren. 

Leaving Norfolk for Boston every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 
Friday and Saturday P. M., at six o'clock, from the Boston Wharf. 

For Providence every Wednesday and Saturday at the same hour. 

Splendid passenger accommodations and reasonable rates. 

The finest excursions and short voyages to be had on the coast. Freight 
accommodations unlimited. 

For particulars apply to 

V. D. GRONER, General Agent 

NORFOLK, vA. 



Potomac Stoamboat Co. 

FOR WASHINGTON, D, C. 



THE ELEGANT STEAMERS 



J 



EORGE 





EXCELSIOR ! 



Composing a daily line throughout the Summer aud 
tri-weekly in the winter. Leaving 
Norfolk about 4 P. M. 

This is one of the most delightful trips in the world, and the cost is so 
low as to be within the reach of pvervbody. Either for passengers or freight, j 

3 leave the Boston Wharf. 



apply to 



V. D. GROWER, Agent. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 79 

Dismal Swamp Canal i Steamers. 




1 . B. ROGERS OR THOMAS NEWTON 

LEAVE NORFOK EVERY 
3^> AT 7 A.M.^ — 

For all Landings on the Dismal Swamp Canal. 
Freights for the above Steamers received daily from 8 A. M. to 5 P. M. 

HENRY ROBERTS, Superintendent. 

jtfE D!Sjv1/\L SW^.J^ip C^JSI/XL. 

will admit sharp built vessels drawing five feet of water; lighter built vessels, 
four feet. 

The Locks will admit 96 feet length, and 16J feet breadth of beam. 

Rafts secured with chains must not be over 1-1 feet wide ; secured with binders, 
not over 12 feet wide. They must be well secured to the satisfaction of the I a- 
nal authorities. 

Steamers will not be admitted without a permit from this office. 

HENRY ROBERTS, Supt., Higgins' Wharf, Norfolk, Va. 



OFncEIJ!-i: 

JOHN B. WHITEHEAD President 

HENRY ROBERTS Superintendent 

H, C. WHITEHEAD Secretary and Treasurer 

S. W. GARY COLLECTOB 

DIRECTORS : 
J. B. Whitehead, W. H. C. Ellis, C. W. Newton, J. v. Leigh, 



so 



GENERAL AND COMMEEClAL GUIDE 



INLAND NAVIGATION. 



THE 



Albemarl 



esapeake Canal 



WITH THE 



Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and Dela- 
ware and Raritan Canal. 

COMPLETE THE INLAND NAVIGATION PROM 

Now York, FkiUfykii, Baltimore uh Norfolk 

TO 

NORTH CAROLINA AND THE SOUTH. 

By Canals and Inland Navigation for steamboats, sailing vessels, rafts, &c. 

avoiding the dangers of Hatteras and the Coast of North Carolina, 

SAVING TIME AND INSURANCE. 







DIMENSIONS OF CANALS AND LOCKS 
CANAL. 



Albemarle and ( !hesapeake ( !anal, 
New Berne and Beaufort Canal. - 
Fairfield Canal 
Chesapeake and Delaware, 
Delaware and Raritan Canal, 
Erie (New York) Canal, 



12 miles. 



14 

4:! 

345 



LOCKS 

Length. Width. 

220 ft. 40 ft. 

no locks. 

no locks. 

220 ft. 24 •• 

220 " 34 " 

110 •• 18 ■• 



Depth. 
7 ft. 



jight draft Steamers for Charleston. Savannah. Florida and West 
Indies take this route. 

For rates of tolls- and maps of Canal, apply at 

COMPANY'S OFFICE, 

No. 21 Granby Street, Norfolk. Va. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMor'Di. 81 



BANKS AND BANKERS. 



11 N April of hist year (1885) the community sustained a severe shock 
by the failure of the Exchange National Bank, of Norfolk, and the 
jL Banking House of Bain & Bro., of Portsmouth, followed almost im- 
mediately by the suspension of the Farmers' Bank, of Norfolk. Over 
four millions of dollars were thus suddenly withdrawn from use, and the 
collapse of these financial institutions, which had long been regarded as 
among the strongest and soundest in the country, very naturally produced 
a feeling of intense anxiety, not only among the business men of Norfolk 
and Portsmouth, and the other depositors and stock-holders of the broken 
Banks, but also among those numerous planters, truckers and country 
merchants who had hitherto entrusted their interests to our mercantile 

houses. 

The blow fell without a moment's warning, and it was impossible to say 
how far its disastrous effects might reach. Similar catastrophes had oc- 
curred in New York and other business centres, bringing widespread ruin 
in their train : and why should Norfolk and Portsmouth be expected to 
escape equally calamitous consequences? All confidence in personal in- 
tegrity, as well as in commercial stability, was shaken to its foundation, 
and it was felt that a great and terrible crisis was at hand. 

But the days and weeks went by without developing any further weak- 
ness, and it became apparent at last that the danger had been exagger- 
ated; for not one single private failure had resulted from the closing of 
the Banks. While numerous individuals had lost their all, and much dire 
distress had overtaken those unfortunate depositors whose savings of a life- 
time had been sunk and lost in an hour, the business concerns of both 
cities revealed unexpected strength, and what might have proved a most 
disastrous panic was thus happily averted. The official investigation into 
the affairs of the Exchange National Bank showed that for years past it 
had been insolvent, and that its nominal capital had long ago been practi- 
cally buried beneath a load of hopelessly bad investments, and forever with- 
drawn from useful and legitimate circulation. 

No sooner, however, had the full extent of our damage been realized, 
than the business men of Norfolk and Portsmouth, with characteristic 



82 General and commercial ctriDE 

pluck and energy, set to work to retrieve their losses and to restore the 
credit which these events had shaken, at home and abroad. The Nor- 
folk National Bank took the place of the Exchange National, with a 
larger actual capital than the nominal stock of its predecessor, and num- 
bering among its directors several gentlemen who had suffered most heavi- 
ly from the previous collapse ; the Bank of Bain & Bro. was succeeded by 
the Merchants' and Farmers' Bank, a corporation comprising many of the 
leading merchants, capitalists and professional men of Portsmouth; and 
several of the other banks of both cities have increased their capital stock. 
The result of these important changes is that the publie confidence has 
been completely restored, and the rate of discount has been reduced from 
nine to six per cent. 

Our Banks are kept busy all the year round, but in the Cotton Season 
they are at their busiest, when it would be almost impossible to make 
prompt and accurate settlements without the machinery of the Clearing 
House, which was established in 1871, and is composed of the Presidents 
and Cashiers of the following Banks, namely: the Citizens' Bank, Wm. 
H. Peters, President, Walter H. Doyle, Cashier ; the Norfolk National 
Bank, C. G. Ramsay, President, Caldwell Hardy, Cashier ; the Bank of 
Commerce, James E. Barry, President W. 8. Wilkinson, Cashier; the Ma- 
rine Bank, Walter H. Taylor, President, Hugh N. Page, Acting Cashier; 
the Bank of Portsmouth, Legh R. Watts, President, E. Alex, Hatton, 
Cashier ; and the Banking House of Burruss, Son & Co. 

The following figures, for which we are indebted to the courtesy of Mr. 
W. S. Wilkinson, the Manager, show the respective totals of the Clearing 
House transactions during the month of November in each year begin- 
ning with 

1876 $1,252,675 00 1881 $2,626,234 00 

1877 1,117,280 00 1882 2,648,819 00 

1878 1,230,756 00 1883 3,082,346 00 

1879 1,500,926 00 1884 3,891,700 00 

1880 2,024,200 00 1885 5,592,900 00 

The Savings Banks, of which We have several, are conducted on conser- 
vative and judicious principles, and greatly assist in promoting the mate- 
rial welfare of large numbers of our people — clerks, mechanics, laborers — 
who rely entirely upon their daily earnings, and are unable to lay by 
money except in small amounts. 

On the whole we believe that the above facts justify us in assuming 
that the Financial Institutions of Norfolk and Portsmouth are in a 
healthier condition to-day than at any previous period in the history of 
this great Sea Port, and that, under their present competent management 
and liberal policy, they will henceforth constitute the strongest pillar in 
the edifice of our ever-growing; trade. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



83 



WILLIAM II. PETER8, 

PRESIDENT 



AV.vi/n:i{ ii. DOYLE, 

CASH 1 Kit 



^citizens umR - 

of Morfolk^ Va. 



Established uxdek State Laws in iis<>7. 



Capital 

$t 00.000 




Surplus, 

^2o f ooo 



DIRECTORS : 

WM. H. PETEKS, WM. W. CHAMBERLAINE, GEO. C. REID, 
CHAS. II. ROWLAND, T. A. WILLIAMS, J. G. WOMBLE. 



Bank of Discount and Deposit. Discount Days — Wednesday and Satur- 
day. Interest allowed on Savings Deposits. Exchange 
Issued on all Principal Cities of Europe. 

CeiiliEOTiefflS M^DE Tip PR0MPTOY REMITTED. 

NEW YORK CORRESPONDENTS: 



Bank of New York— National Banking Association. 



84 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



EH 

Q 


cd 






1— 1 
>— 1 








-J 


w : 




w 
j 


Q 


s 


* 


o 


si 


5 


PC 

o 



EH 

Q 
< 







I z 



€0 

r 

M 

Si 






CQ 

O 

< 
2 



5 O 

w 



OS 

_£ 

> 

CD 

m 
05 

H 

rj 
03 

ffl 

OS 



03 
■*-> 

■.rH 

a 

as 
U 

(7} 

0) 

U 
03 

CD 

CO 

03 



S io" S 

CO — ' 

2 .5 > 

C3 GO •— i 



i^ 


W 


— 


J 








cud 


t3 














a 


r3 


(8 


^ 


CJ 


CO 



c3 

a 

el 



=« g 

5 o 
EH P 



o 



A3 
eg 



-^ 
o 



3 M 



bC c3 



"^ H " 



CD 


G 




sS 




< 


"3 


e*-i 


a 


■ O 


c3 

03 

o 






— 


CO 


q 


a: 


O 




^zr 


o 


O 


c 


1 — 1 


<3J 

H3 






o3 


— 






c 


(S 


PS 


w 








b/j 


r^T' 






•+J 




o> 












O 


o 





h 
& 
W 
Q 



ft 
(0 






*« -3 



r, -? « as 



i 
& 


3 


P- 


"3 


5 
- 


— 


«i 


fe 




c 
o 


"3 


a 
2 


. 01 
it c3 


* 
o 



<5 


S3 

en 


n 
c 

S 

CO 


o 

S3 


5 


— 


£ 


03 


a 


C 
3 


> 


J4 


o 


3 


2 




o 


S3 


— 
o 


S3 
CO 




1 


/■ 


3 


M 


S3 


$ 




-~ 


9 










a 


J3 


S3 


5S 







3 



S 5 * 

ej 4» o 
£2 /^ **-' 

7 - 3 

□ o ° 
^ ^.2 



a- P< 
M -d 
§5 

tic o 



-: g fc OB 

S • << M M 

• W 3 ° S H P- 

« i o ^ § g « 

"■3 T3 m fci 



£ Bo 



~ 3 

TO S ^ 

b o ^ »■, 

c ■= 5 .-S 



^ 



Eh 

i^ r^ *-' t- ^ 

7. O o P ^ : (£ 

- 1 "w •• •_, Ji iJ 

% c . H o2j 

O -s* eg . Q ^? 
2 g B H ^ K C 

». 5 S g a a pa 

$ 2 W o tt M =2 
- C5 ps . S S S 

d fe ^ q « ^ o 
y o o {£ p ^ ^ 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. >>.S 

OF COMMERCE, 

(Cliartered under Stale Laws, 1st July, 1X78.) 
.IAS. K, BARRY, President. W. S. WILKINSON, Cashier. 



Ill 



CAPITAL, $50,000. 



SURPLUS, $34,000. 



DIRECTORS : 

JAS. E. BARRY, J. D. GALE, J AS. REID, SAM'L MARSH. 

.!. VICKERY, B. T. BOCKOVER, R. W. SANTOS, 

\\ . A. GRAVES, W. S. WILKINSON. 



Transacts a General Banking Business. Collections Made on 

All Points at Current Rates. Interest Allowed 

on Deposits in Savings Department. 



New York Correspondent : NATIONAL PARK BANK. 

Philadelphia Correspondent: FIRST NATIONAL BANK. 

Boston Correspondent : MAVERICK NATIONAL BANK. 



n~v 




OF NORFOLK VA. 



CHARTERED BY THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. 



W. H. TAYLOR. 

President. 



HUGH N. PAGE, 

Acting Cashier. 



Collections remitted for on day of payment. No charge for collections 
payable with exchange. No extra charge for collections on Rich- 
mond, Petersburg, Lynchburg and Suffolk. Ya. 



DIRECTORS. 

JAS. T. BORTjjU. of W. F. Allen & Co., Wholesale Grocers." 
M. L. T. DAVIS, of M. L. T. Davis & Co., Wholesale O racers. 
C. B. DUFFIELD, Attorney at Law. 
W. W. GWATHMEY, of Gwathmev & Co.. Com mission Merchants. 
L. HARMANSON. of Harmanson A Heath. Attorneys at Law. 
B. P. LOYALL. of Tavlor & Lovall, Family (irocers. 
WASHINGTON REED, of Peters & Reed, Commission Merchants. 
CHAS. REID, of Chas. Reid tt Son. Commission Merchants. 
WASHINGTON TAYLOR, of Washington Taylor A- Co.. Whole- 
sale Grocers. 



86 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 




9k 

OF NORFOLK, HA- 
STATE INSTITUTION— CHARTERED 1874. 
Authorized Capital, $100,000. Paid-Up Capital, - $50,000 

Interest Paid on all Savings Deposits of 
Ten Dollars andL TJp^vvai*<ls. 

Business Accounts Received subject to all the rules and privileges of such accounts 
in the National Hanks. _ . 

Collections Promptly Made on all accessible points in the United states, Canada or 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE. 

We buy and sell drafts in large or small sums, on all principal cities of Europe. 
OFFICERS: 
Geo. E. Bowden, President. Oeo. S. Oldkikld, Vice President. 

H. C. Percy, Cashier. 

Board of Directors : 

H. Phoebus, H. B. Nichols, J. R. Gillett, S. E Bid-font 

F. Richardson, Peter Turne'y, Geo. S. Oldfield. 

Win. N. Armstrong, II. C. Percy. 

We respectfully solicit correspondence from any who desire a Rank Account in Norfolk . 

Address, H. C. PERCY, Cashier. 




(^W TA 7i LISH&2) /SOS) 

Norfolk, Virginia, 

Tender their services as Bankers, having special facilities for the col- 
lection of Notes and Drafts, payable in this city, or at any accessible 
points in this State or North Carolina. Will Remit Promptly on day of 
Payment at the Lowest Rate of Exchange on New Tori: 

Exchange Issued on all the Principal Cities of Europe. 

Bonds, Stocks. Mining Shares and Securities bought, sold and nego- 
tiated on Commission. 

Uncurrent Bills, Foreign Money and mutilated currency bought. 
Loans negotiated on Beal Estate. Business Paper and Claims discounted. 
Business Accounts Invited and Interest Allowed on Time Deposits. 

Particular attention paid to the purchase and sale of City and State 
Securities or Orders. 

Holders of Norfolk City Bonds furnished with Quotations as to the 
value and character of the same. 

Coupons and Interest collected by sending Power of Attorney. 

New York Correspondents: 

Ninth National Bank, J. B. Colegate & Co., Knaugh, N.ichod <& Kuline. 



tO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 87 

ZXGIf P. 7FA 2 2S, Trest. &. ALEX. HA 220JV, t 'as/tier. 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

MEMBER'OF THE NORFOLK CLEARING HOUSE. 

Transacts a Legitimate Banking Business tn all its Branches. 

Collections solicited, and remitted for on day of payment, at the lowest 
rates. No extra charge for collections on Norfolk, Richmond, Suffolk and 
Hampton, Va, 

Business accounts invited, and interest paid on deposits in Savings !><• 
partment. 

'Paid up Capital, - - - $51,000 

null tided 'Profits, - .S'.OOO 



DIRECTORS = 

Judge Legb R Watts, of Watts & Hatton, Attorneys-at-Law. 

O. V. Smith, General Claim aud Trace Agent, Atlantic ("oast and Seaboai'd Air Lines. 

R. J. Neely of K. J. Neely & Co., Wholesale Lumber Merchants. 

Jas. F. Crocker, Attorney-at^Law. 

Joseph Bourke, Family Grocer. 

Jno. H. Hume, of R. G. Hume & Rro.. Books and Stationery. 

A P. Grice, Treas. Lewis' Spring Manufacturing Co. 

Thos. Scott, of Scott & Flemming. Furniture Dealers. 

Richard Cox, Trucker, Norfolk County, "Va. 

Correspondents:— Importers and Traders' 'National Bank and Bank of New York N. B. 
A., New York ; First National Bank, Philadelphia ; National Revere Bank, Boston ; Merchant*' 
National Bank, Baltimore. 



JOHN T. GRIFFIN. President J. H TOOMER, Cashier. 

Merchants' and. Farmers' Bank, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

A UTHOPIZBP CA PITA I, I PA IP IJV CA PI 2 A L, 
$150,000. $50,000. 

This Bank opened for business on Tuesday, December 1, 1885, and re- 
spectfully soliciis the accounts of bankers, merchants, farmers and others. 

While allowing customers the benefit of its advantages, and affording 
them liberal facilities for conducting their banking business, the Board 
of Directors pledge themselves that the institution shall be managed on 
the principle of sound and conservative banking. 

A specialty will be made of collections, to which careful and prompt 
attention will be given. 



DIRECTORS : 
JOHN T. GRIFFIN, HENRY KIRN, JOSEPH A. PARKER, 

THOS. J BAKLOW, GEO. L . N EVILLE, JAM ES PARRISH, 

B. H. OWENS, JAS T. BORUM, R. C MARSHALL. 



88 GENERAL AN!) COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



FERTILIZERS 



S.URING the past few years the demand for this article has been far 
in excess of the supply of natural guano and manure, and has led 
to its manufacture on a very large scale. In the newly and sparsely 
settled territories of the West where the land has been under cultivation 
for a comparatively short period, the need of an artificial stimulus to the 
soil has as yet been little felt. But in the East it has become indispensa- 
ble. The ground has been tilled by succeeding generations until its nour- 
ishing power is exhausted and requires periodical and systematic renew- 
ing to render it once more fertile and productive. Especially is this the 
case in the eastern portion of Virginia, Maryland and the Carolinas where 
the trucking business is so extensively carried on. The richest soil can 
only supply a certain limited amount of nutrition to the vegetation it sus- 
tains, and when that nutrition has been withdrawn by over cropping, it 
must be restored either by the slow process of natural recuperation or by 
such artificial means as science may suggest and experience approve. Tak- 
ing the natural Peruvian guano as the standard, and the character and 
quantity of the crop as the test, it is most gratifying to be able hereto 
assert, on the testimony of scores, nay, hundreds of the practical farmers 
and horticulturalists of the Eastern and Southern States, that the Norfolk 
factories are furnishing them with a perfect substitute for natural guano 
and at much more acceptable prices than the latter can be procured at. 
Manufactured phosphates are easy of adulteration, as the apparent virtues 
< 1 1' the ingredients can be sustained by the intermingling of certain sub- 
stances which, although making a good showing according to the analysis 
are nevertheless utterly worthless as plant food. The agriculturalist, 
therefore, cannot exercise too much caution in the purchase of this essen- 
tial factor to his success, and he should make his selection not only from 
his knowledge of the manufacturer and the reputation of the brand, but 
also with a view to the special requirements of his soil and the nature of 
the crop under which it is to be used. The most experienced farmer 
need never regret the use of a fertilizer if he will only be guided in its 
choice and application by the experience of others and not place too much 
faith in the representations of irresponsible agents and dishonest manufac- 



TO NORFOLK ANfr PORTSMOUTH. 



89 



turers, who, like their goods, have no reputation to lose and are satisfied 
to thrive for the moment by fleecing the unwary. The efficacy of first, 
class fertilizers is now universally acknowledged and there are few who even 
try to dispense with them. Like steam and gas and electricity, they were at 
first regarded with suspicion and scepticism, but have finally established 
themselves in the public confidence. The application of certain chemicalg 
in correct proportions will force the growth of cotton and other crops just 
as surely as the rays of the sun will ripen them. There are several large 
companies and firms engaged in this business in and around Norfolk, and 
although their output is enormous, it is, nevertheless, inadequate to the 
demand. Large additions are contemplated and being made to some of 
the factories and it is expected that their increased facilities will shortly 
enable them to meet the necessities of the trade. It is also most encouraging 
to know that while other cities find a market for their fertilizers in certain 
portions of this and the adjoining States, the Norfolk brands have ob- 
tained a firm foot-hold around and beyond them, and they are held in 
high estimation wherever they have become known, from the remote 
mountain passes to the shore of the ocean, and the reason of this has 
been that our manufacturers and dealers have had the honesty and good 
sense to put upon the market only such goods as could not fail to give 
perfect satisfaction to the consumers. 




{»() GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

American Fertilizing Company, 

box_ot_L OF NORFOLK VA. 

Importers of Guanos and Chemicals, and Manufacturers of 



High Grade and Standard Super-Phosphates, 



Nos 



163 and 165 WATER STREET, - NORFOLK,VA. 

C. L. UPSHUR. President. W. J. UOBINS, Secretary. 

UPSHUR'S STANDARD 10 PER CENT. AMMONIA UUANO. 

This is one of the very highest grade guanos on the market, aud will grow any 
crop as quick and give as large a yield as any Peruvian guano, no matter what 
grade it is, and claims to be second to nothing in the market. It is especially fine 
for top dressing, or used in any way Peruvian is used, and good on all crops. It 
is made of the highest grade and finest materials. Analysis : 10 per cent, am- 
monia, 16 to 20 per cent, bone phosphate, 2 to ^ per cent potash. 





8QNE 







Upshur's Standard 1 per Cent. Ammonia Guano. 

OR SPECIAL IRISH POTATO GUANO. 



Upshur's Peruvian Mixture, especially for Cotton, Tobacco, &c. 

This is prepared from bone flour, fish and Peruvian Guano, and is one of the 
best preparations for cotton on the market. Analysis 3 per cent, ammonia, 15 to 
'20 per cent, bone phosphate lime, 1 to 2 per cent, potash. 

We keep on hand the best Peruvian Guano, in its natural state, and guarantee 
it perfectly pure and of the highest grade. We also offer for sale Lobos's Guano, 
Standard Analysis. Also, all kinds of Fertilizing Chemicals, such a Sulph. Am- 
monia, Nit. Soda, Sulph. and Muriate Potash. Kainit, Bone Dust, Pure Fish 
Scrap, Fine Ground Fish, South Carolina Acid Phosphate, &c, &c. Ou«r Presi- 
dent is an experienced manufacturer of guanos, also a practical farmer, and em- 
ployees of the Company are practical and experienced fertilizer manufacturers 
and dealers. 

AMERICAN FERTILIZING CO. 

C. L. UPSHUR.. President 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



'.♦1 



President : J. 0. Spencer. Vice-President & Treasurer : R. McD. Spencer. 
Secretary: J. Merchant. Assistant Treasurer : V. TavlOr. 



THE HODGDON & SPENCER CO. 




'eruvian Gitne, laiait 




IBM 




m\ 




k 



l.)4 and 15(5 Water Street.. 



NORFOLK;, VA 



92 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

ESTABLISHED 1*21. 



-#1886*- 



GURUS HID I SIM 



ST 

NORFOLK, VA., 

IMPORTERS AND DEALERS IN 

Ho, 1 Peruvian Guano, 10&6 percent. 

AND MANUFACTURERS OF THE FOLLOWING 

HIGH GRADE STANDARD BRANDS OF FERTILIZERS, so 
long and satisfactorily used and endorsed by the TRUCKERS 
of the great MARKET-GARDEN SECTION OF EASTERN 
VIRGINIA, than whom none more critically test, and better 
know the needs of Plants ; 

" LEESIDE" (10 per cent. Ammonia) $55.00 per ton, cash. 
" FARMERS' CHALLENGE "or «F.C." 

Guano, (7 per cent ) . . $46.00 per ton, cash. 

" FARMERS' FAVORITE " or "F.F." 

Guano, (5 per cent.) . . $36.00 per ton, cash. 

"SOLUBLE FINE GROUND FISH'' 

(9 per cent.) . . . $34.00 per ton, cash. 

'RAW SLAUGHTER- HOUSE BONE 

MEAL," . . . . $35.00 per ton cash. 

" DISSOLVED SLAUGHTER-HOUSE 

BONE." .... $37.50 per ton, cash. 

"SOLUBLE POTASH PHOSPHATE," $25.00 per ton, cash. 
" VIRGINIA LAND RENOVATOR,'' $15 00 per ton, cash. 

S. C. Floats, Laud Plaster, Kaiuit and Agricultural Chemi- 
cals sold as low as articles of equal purity can be in this mark 't. 

Highest market price paid for Staves and Treenails. 

CHARLES REBD & SON, 

OFFTCE, / 4 A'/V/SOA X'JJi'BBT, 
NORFOLK, YA. 

Factory, Money Point. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 93 




SUPER-PHOSPHATE 

| A^ND 

Pocomoke 










/*T 0\^Pronounced 



^1 ft V / b! ' 

^^ all who have 1 



># to be 

THE BEST FERTILIZER IN USE 

Cotton, Tobacco, Peanuts, Corn, Early Truck, &c. 



MANUFACTURED BY 



npp, lloYd, qA^o|l ^ dj^Ydew, 

1 1 ^ EGHFOLE, VA. ^ PCCOEOEE, EID. ^ 



94 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

NOTTINGHAM, WRENN & STYRON, 

MANUFACTURERS OF 

"1F0LK FERTILIZER" H AGRICULTURAL \M\ LIE 

The Norfalfe g§5||tefp 

IS OHE.4JP A1XI> RELIABLE, 

Unsurpassed for Cotton, Tobacco, Corn, Peanuts, Oats, Vegetables 

and Grasses. 

We have the PRACTICAL TESTS by Farmers and Planters that 

this Fertilizer is an Excellent Article for producing and increasing yield 

of all drops. 

WE OFFER 

SHELL LIME AT LOW PRICES, 

in cargo lots or smaller quantities, as desired. 

SEND F"OR CIRCULARS. 

Factory, Burton's Point, near Navy Yard. Office, 54 Main Street, 
NORFOLK. VA. 



F. S. ROYSTER, E. STRUDWICK. 

Tarboro, N.C. Hillsboro, N. C. 

ROYSTER & STRUDWICK, 

Cotton Factors 



.4l>'T> 



Wholesale Dealers in Fertilizers, 

©I1MAI KAINIT, 

Acid Phosphate, Farmers' Friend Fertilizer, 

NORFOLK, VA. 



Stocks at all North Carolina and Virginia Ports. 

Write for Circulars, Prices, &c. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. §S 

CAKY W. JONES. E. B. BAIN. B. G. BAGLEY. 

FOR ALL CROPS USE 

JGNES, BAIN& CO.'S 




6*m <t iXifTix T!>TH A W7P\ ATTY A 'ATA ** 



<S "nil A 1\TT\ //^ TFT \ W 

i IE A Ml) WlAiv 



MANUFACTURED A.T 

PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA. 

We guarantee that every particle of the essential elements of Plant 
Food contained in it is obtained from the highest, purest and most impor- 
tant sources. Being rich in Ammonia, Phosphoric Acid and Pota<h,in j n s l the 
right proportions, it gives the plant prompt start, good root, firm stand, 
full development and early maturity- Its mechanical condition cannot 
be surpassed as it is easily worked, either in the drill or hand. Our for- 
mula is the result of practical study and long experience in the manufac- 
ture and use of commercial fertilizers, and we stake our reputation for 
probity upon the fact that we offer the BEST fertilizer sold in Virginia. 
It will force development in date and luxuriance and produce a Laiger 
Yield to the amount used than any other. 

A field test will prove its practical excellence over many other high-grade 
and reputable guanos used in this State. It does not permit the plant to 
exhaust the soil, as many others do, and leave it poorer than before, but 
users, if they choose, may sow another crop upon the same land, with- 
out additional fertilizing. Approximating, as it does, the best stable 
manure, it is suitable for any crop, and it will pay the planter to apply it 
on everything he grows, whether in garden or field. 

Guaranteed Analysis of Eagle Brand Guano. 

Ammonia 2 to 3 P e * cen t- 

Available Phosphoric Acid 8 to 10 

Insoluble " " 1 to 2 ' 

Potash,K, 2,0 3to4i " " 

Analysis of Eagle Brand Guano 

Made by Dr. Wm. II. Taylor, State Assayer and Chemist, Richmond, Va„ Dec. 5, 1885. 

Moisture, det. at 212° F., .....12.58 

Soluble Phosphoric Acid, ' jl - 

Reverted " " •"*•'*'■ ' 

Available " " 8 -->} 

Insoluble " 1.79 

Total - " 10.80 

Potash *■« 

Soda ;;^ (1 

Ammonia - ,{J 

Signed, ' WM. H. TAYLOR, M. D., State Chemist. 

APPLY TO OUR NEAREST AGENT OR DIRECT TO US. 

JONES, BAIN & CO., Manufacturers.. Petersburg, Ya. 



6EXERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



OUR EXPORT CO AI« TFADE. 




THE NEW COALING STATION ON HAMPTON ROADS AT 

LAMBERT'S POINT IN THE LOWER HARBOR 

OF NORFOLK. 

HE Appalachian chain of mountains, reaching from Pennsylvania to 
Carolina, and passing through Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia, 
s is filled with the finest coal beds on the American Continent, The 
(.earns of Semi-Bituminous Coal are found to yield the best steam coal. and 
the further to the South they extend the finer the quality appears to be- 
come. The Cumberland Coal, which finds its principal out'et at George- 
town and Baltimore, claims superiority over the Clearfield and other 
semi-bituminous mines of Pennsylvania, for steam purposes, while the 
New River coals, which seek tide-water at Richmond and Newport's News 
furnish a steam coal consideied even better than the best George's Creek 
from the Cumberland region. But in Tazewell County, Virginia, the per- 



T6 NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. M 

fection of Semi-Bituminous Steam Coal has been found, the seams all pro- 
ducing the same character of coal, containing less sulphur and ash than 
the more northerly products. About two years ago the Norfolk & Western 
Railroad connected these mines, which are situated in and around the town 
of Pocahontas, in the Flat Top Mountains, with the port of Norfolk, and 
so excellent has the coal proved for steam-generating purposes, that im- 
mense quantities are brought daily to Norfolk for local consumption, and 
for shipment, principally to New England ports. The best conducted 
railroads in the East and the fastest local steamship lines are using th e 
Pocahontas Coal. It produces steam quicker, and has less clinker than 
other semi-bituminous coals, and English engineers who have used it on the 
ocean state that it comes nearer to the best Welsh Coal than any they have 
ever obtained in the United States. 

As Hampton Roads, from its situation mid-way between the Gulf of 
Mexico and the Banks of Newfoundland, with its safe harbor and easy 
access, was admirab y adapted for a coaling station for ocean steamers, 
the Norfolk & Western Railroad Company, with a view to extending the 
facilities for the steam marine in this particular, have constructed berth s 
for bunkering steamers at their grand coal pier at Lambert's Point, with 
6 feet of water, and the most approved chutes, 45 feet high, enabling 
steamers of any size to be coaled with the greatest possible dispatch. 

Hampton Roads is bounded on the west by the James River, at the 
mouth of which Newport's News is situated, and on the south by th e 
Elizabeth River at the mouth of which is Lambert's Point. These two 
points are equi-distant from the Capes of Virginia, the advantage of a 
fraction of a mile by the ship channel being in favor of the latter. The 
Pier is five eighths of a mile long, with double tracks and chutes on both 
sides. It has now berths for coaling three large steamships at the same time 
besides ample accommodations for coastwise vessels, and is capable of be- 
ing doubled in capacity, should business require it. The Pier is in a safe 
harbor and the river bottom, being of soft mud, can be easily kept 
dredged to any required depth. The Virginia Pilots' Association have 
certified that they can put a steamship drawing 25 feet at the I'ier at any 
time. 

The United States Signal Corps have a station at Cape Henry, con- 
nected with the Norfolk City station by telegraph, and this station has 
telephonic communication with the Pier. Steamers therefore when pass- 
in o- the Capes can, by signaling, give the "Pier from 2 J to 3 hours notice 
of their comin., so that everything can be in readiness for them. By 
using the code letters 'L. M. B." they will be rep rted as coming for coal, 
and by giving their number, their name will also be reported. One ad- 
vantage of this announcement is to have the Health Officer <>n hand, wh 
is obliged to visit all vessels from foreign ports all the year round, and from 
domestic Southern ports from 1st of May to 1st of November. In case 



t)A 



GENERAL AKt> COMMERCIAL GtJlbE 



of windy weather, if the services of a tug are needed as a precaution in 
berthing a steamer, they are supplied, free of charge, by the Railroad. 

When desired, work is done during all hours of the night, and by the 
accommodation of the Collector of the Port and his assistants, vessels 
reported as passing the Capes before 3 P. M. are entered in the afternoon 
as late as 6 P. M. In fact everything is done to afford the greatest pos- 
sible dispatch. All the Atlantic cables have offices in Norfolk, and mes- 
sages can be transmitted to and from Europe with the same facility as in 
New York. Lambert's Pier, although only completed sufficiently to com- 
mence business last Spring, has already a fair share of bunkering busi- 
ness, and must gain rapidly in popularity on account of superior coal 
and facilities for dispatch. 

The following figures, showing the shipments of Pocahontas Semi- 
Bituminous Coal during the year 1885, not including local and harbor- 
deliveries, will afford the best proof of its great and growing popularity. 

January 6,489 Tons 

February 7,639 

March 24,484 

April 31,251 

May 28,951 

June 28,500 

July 27,037 

August 29,454 

September 25,751 

October ...29,382 

November 28,441 

December 31,022 



298,401 



Being a Monthly average of over 24,866 Tons 

« Weekly " " 5,738 " 

" Daily " " 817 " 




TO NORFOLK AND PORTTMOUTH. 00 

Norfolk & Western Railroad Co. 

CASTNER & CO., Limited, 

GEHEfjAL TIDE-WATEfj COAL AGENTS. . 

POCAHONTAS FLAT TOP SEMI- 
BITUMINOUS 




SHIPPING POINT 



Lambert's Pier, near Norfolk, Va. 

Unequalled as a Coaling Station for Steamers. 

Our coal piers have a draft of water of 26 feet at low tide, enabliog us to 
coal the largest steamers with ease and unusual dispatch. 

Steamers will save over 200 miles of journey by coaling at Norfolk 
rather than at Halifax and also avoid delays and clangers caused by fogs 
and ice in the vicinity of Halifax. 

GENERAL OFFICE: 

203 WALNUT ST., PHILADELPHIA, PA., U. S. A. 

Branch Houses at New York, Boston and Baltimore. 

WILLIAM LAMB & CO., Agts. 



WLLIAM LAMB & CO., 

SHIP AND STEAMSHIP AGENTS, 

MARKET SQUARE, NORFOLK, VA. 

"Brancft Office at Fort Monroe, Hampton 'Jioads, Virginia. 
Vice-Consulates of Germany, Sweden and Norway. 



100 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



LUMBER, STAVES, &o. 



lPftY reason partly of our extremely favorable geographical situation, in 
Wy close proximity to the noble white oak and pine forests of the eastern 
^ shore of Virginia and North Carolina, this trade has always been one 
of the most important in which the capital and enterprise of Norfolk and 
Portsmouth have been engaged. We enjoy a central and convenient posi" 
tion for the accumulation of logs which reach our mills through the 
rivers and canals having their estuaries on the branches of the Elizabeth, 
and are here converted into the lumber and staves of commerce. The 
magnitude of the lumber business done in this port is not generally known 
even among our own citizens, and it wall therefore surprise many to learn 
that in 1885 it reached nearly $2,000,000, of which amount about $500,000 
worth was exported to foreign markets. The white oak timber of this 
section is highly esteemed for use in ship building on acconnt of its fine 
grain and toughness, and it has always been in special demand by the 
Navy Department. The pine forests, in addition to the millions of feet 
of lumber which they annually contribute to our trade, also furnish excel- 
lent masts and epars for our shipping. Our trade in staves is conducted 
chiefly with the West Indies and the Mediterranean, where they are manu- 
factured into barrels and casks for sugar, molasses rum and wine. Our 
white oak staves are much sought after by the grape growers of Southern 
Europe, as they do not injure the delicate flavor of the wine, as other 
coarser woods are said to do. As a natural consequence of these favor- 
able conditions, a glance round the shores of our noble harbor reveals 
numerous lumber yards, saw mills, planing mills, box factories and other 
kindred establishments, all of which show evidence of enjoying a brisk 
trade. 



A. A. McCULLOUGH, 

DEALER, l|4 CO^L, LUPBER, 

And All Kinds of Building Material, 

GRAN BY STREET, NEAR ATLANTIC HOTEL, 

NORFOLK, VA. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 101 

EDWARD M. TILLEY, 

Wholesale Dealer in all descriptions of 

SAWED AND PLANED LUMBER, 

AT M Y 

Mill and Wharf in Berkley. 




Keeps constantly on hand Stocks of Dry Lumber of the 
following descriptions: 

Flooring, Scantling, Ceiling, Step Plank, 

Joist, Partition [reeded], Dressed Boards, 

Weather Boards, Shingles, Bricks, &c. 

Cut from Cypress and Yellow 

Pine Stock. 



;A"W Mill 3 m 




OFFICE IN BERKLEY, 

Cor, MOHTELAHT and LIBERTY STS, 
1, M, TILLEY. 

Telephone Connections. 



102 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



THE CARMAN LUMBER CO 



AND 







K<< 






PLANING MILLS 



J 



Manufacturers of and Dealers in all kinds of 

Rough and Dressed Lumber, Laths,&c, 



*KL8eiflN6 flflD ceiling 



-HfcA SPECIALTY.*- 






P. O. Address, Box 185, Norfolk, Va, 



lo NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



103 




MANUFACTURERS OF 



X « 



CO 




CO £ 

czuD £ 

CO QC 



PRICES QUOTED UlPON APPLICATION. 

Dressed Boxes 1 Cent additional. For Cash 10 per 

cent, from Prices (Rioted. 

Apply for furthei information to Mill in Berkley, Va. or to Wright's Confectionery Store 
at Ferry Wharf Portsmouth, _Va. 

- Berkley, Va. 



Also Manufacturers of a CHEAP BLOCK WOOD 
Wood delivered in Norfolk or Brambleton at the Low Trice 
of $150 per % cord. .tfy.UU per eord 



,J. W. Biirbour. .John Turner. 

J. W. BARBOUR & CO., 



X XT 



-^fCXjU 



IVJU& 



x?xz 



JJjhJXAJi£xJ&t3 : J i' 



Lime, Laths, Hair, Plaster, Cement, Shingles, Etc., Etc. 
NO. «S« WATER OTBJEET* 

NORFOLK, VA. 

Large Stock of Seasoned Cypress Always on Hand. 



G. ARMSTRONG & SON, 



S a ^y a n d P 1 a n i ng J|| 

Manufacturers of and Wholesale and Retail Dealers in 

KILN DRIED FLOORBNC AND CEILING, 

Lumber, Laths, Shingles, and Posts, 

VEGETABLE AND FFtXJIX BOXES. 

Bill Timber a Specialty. 



PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



104 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GTJTDE 



HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS 



/JY a "N arriving at Norfolk or Portsmouth for the first lime, th^ stranger 
\y^ cannot fail to be impressed most favorably with the superiority of 
our hotel accommodations ; and this is admitted to be one of the hest 
criterions by which to gauge the general commercial prosperity — or other- 
wise — of every city. It must he confessed that in this respect most of our 
Southern provincial towns are sadly deficient, and the traveller is certain 
to be agreeably surprised at the comfort and elegance with which he finds 
himself surrounded when he first accepts our Sea-port's hospitality. But 
the explanation of this fact is simple anough. As the terminus of many 
busy Railroads and the calling place of many lines of pasengcr steam- 
boats, the Sister Cities receive and entertain many thousands of transient 
visitors during the year, and first-class hotels have heen, for many years 
past, not only an absolute necessity to the public, but also a source of 
handsome revenue to their proprietors, who vie with each other in supply- 
ing the wants and increasing the comforts of their guests. 

The buildings are all that the most fastidious could desire — lofty, com- 
modious, well lighted and well ventilated, within easy distance of railroad 
depots, steamboat wharves, churches, places of amusement, street railways, 
banks, stores, &c, well furnished and provided with parlors, reception 
rooms and elevators; cleanly, comfortable, well managed and absolutely 
devoid of those trilling but numerous discomforts which usually render 
hotel life so unattractive. 

Our markets are acknowledged to be among the very best in the whole 
country and abound in every variety of fish, game, fruits, vegetables and 
all other luxuries for the table. As these are for the most part the pro- 
ducts of the land and water in our own immediate neighborhood, the 
Hotel charges at Norfolk and Portsmouth are extremely moderate when 
compared with those of other cities, and it frequently happens that travel- 
lers who call here en route between the distant points at the North and 
South, intending to rest but a single day, find themselves so comfortably 
quartered that they remain with us for weeks or months at a time, and 
repeat their visits at tho earliest opportunity. The large patronage which 
our Hotels enjoy, at all seasons of the year, is the best possible testimonial 
to their excellence. 



TO NORFOLK ANt> POUTSMOTTH. 



]0S 



-»:+: 



NEW PURCEIiIi H00gE,| <- 




Corner Main and Church Streets. 

The Dining Room. Reception Room, Parlors, Halls, Office and a large num- 
ber of the bed rooms are heated by steam, thus affording a pleasant temperature 
in the coldest weather. 

Passenger Elevator. Electric Bells in Bed Rooms. Telephone and Telegraph 
Call in Office. 

A special feature of the NEW PURCELL is a number of Sample Rooms on 

the ground floor. 

The Street Cars pass immediately by, offering a quiok, cheap and comfortable 
transit to nearly all parts of the city, abo connecting in the summer season with 
Steam Cars for Ocean View and Virginia Beach— the popular Summer Resorts. 

SIAGLE'S "TRANSFER" BUS and BAGGAGE WAGON attend all Trains 
and Steamers. 

BEN. R. BROWN & CO., Proprietors. 



loo 



ofcNERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 






Corner High and Court Streets. 

FOETSMOCTH, V A. 



, ' ¥ t f 




This well known Leading Hotel has been thoroughly renovated aiid 
furnished, and now offers unsurpassed accommodations 

to mm hundred <m$w%. 

It is centrally situated, being in close proximity to the Post Office, 
Banks, Telegraph Offices, Court House, City Hall, Express Office, and 
other places of business usually sought by visitors. 

Lipid willi Gas ad Heated ky Steam Throughout. 

LARGE AND WELL LIGHTED SAMPLE ROOMS. 

Omnibusses and Baggage Wagons meet all arriving Trains and Steam- 
boats. 

Telephone communication with Norfolk and Portsmouth. 

THE OCEAN HOUSE COMPANY, 

PROPRIETOR'S. 

H. P. HARRINGTON, Manager. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



UK 




MMlfl® ISfli i 

COR. MA IX ,«I) UK AN BY STS, 
NORFOLK, VA. 

R. S. DODSON, - Proprietor 



Enlarged, remodelled and refurnished, rendering it one of the hand- 
somest structures in the South, possessing all the modern impioYements. 
including first-class passenger elevator, electric bells, suites of rooms with 
hot and cold baths. 

The especial attention of Tourists and Invalids is called to tbe line 
climate of Norfolk and vicinity, and to the accommodations afforded by the 
Atlantic, where nothing will be left undone to render them comfortable. 

B@rLiberal arrangements made with families aid parties by the month. 

fif^-Lctters and Telegrams to JR. S. DODSON, will receive prompt at- 
tention. 



iVl/l 1 A EfFk - 



4> 



RHINE WINE ROOMS, 

Orchestrion and Billiard flails, 




SUMMER GARDEN AND LUNCH ROOMS. 

143 & 145 Church St., opposite Opera House, 
NORFOLK, VA. 

02CHESTBI0X CONGESTS EVEEY SIGHT. 



108 



OEXEItAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



&m 



Botetourt County, Virginia. 

PHIL. F. BROWN, - - Proprietor. 








41 Miles West of Lynchburg, Va. 



ft 



o 






72 






OPEN FOR VISITORS 
FROM JUnE AST TO I5TH OCTOBER. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 109 



OUR EXPORT TRADE, 



BHIS is a topic of such extent and involves such varied interests that 
it is found almost impossible to do it full justice within the circum- 
scribed limits to which we are confined. The wonderful and 
constantly growing export trade of Norfolk and Portsmouth has been 
unprecedented in the commercial annals of any maritime community in 
America. The many doubts, fears and anxieties whioh attended its es- 
tablishment have long since disappeared, together with the numerous 
vicissitudes which attended the early stages of its development, and it 
has become a recognized and established factor in the commercial econ- 
omy of this important Business Centre. 

The accomplishment of this most satisfactory result is due entirely to 
the energy and perseverence of our public-spirited merchants and bank- 
ers, supported by the press of the Cities and State. The first cotton ever 
shipped at Norfolk for a foreign port composed the cargo, valued at 
$119,023, of the British steamer Ephesus which sailed for Liverpool in the 
Spring of 1866, but was wrecked on Sable Island. The total exports for 
that year in assorted cargoes was valued $413,405 ; that of 18S5 amounted 
to nearly $13,000,000. Such a marvellous groAvth in twenty years 
discloses a degree of vitality which requires no comment in order to im- 
press its meaning upon an intelligent people. 

The whole direct exports of cotton from Norfolk and Portsmouth dur- 
ing the season ending August 31st, 1885, amounted to 295,817 bale, , 
valued at $14,279,835. In addition to these there were shipped at Nor- 
folk during the same season, on through bills of lading for Great Britian 
and the Continent, via Baltimore, Boston, New York and Philadelphia, 
65,917 bales, for which this port cannot take credit, as they were not 
cleared here. 

Several large cotton compresses are kept busy night and day during the 
season reducing the bales to convenient dimensions for stowing in the holds 
of European steamers, and our present wharves are altogether inadequate 
to the necessities of this one article of foreign shipment. But there is 
good reason for believing that this last deficiency will shortly be made 
good by the completion of the improvements contemplated by some of the 



110 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



Railroad and Transportation Companies. The following tabular state- 
ment respecting our Export Cotton Trade will be found of interest: 

Exports of Cotton by bales for 20 years, from September 1st to August 31st, 

each year : 



.SEASONS. BALES. 

1865-6 733 

1866-7 14,168 

1867-8 8,279 

1868-9 7,527 

1869-70 4,745 

1870-1 5,142 

1871-2 4,687 

1872-3 8,282 

1873-4 20,346 

1874-5 67,212 



SEASONS. BALES. 

1875-6 108,693 

1876-7 116,855 

1877-8 , 159,357 

1878-9 203,536 

1879-80 257,065 

1880-1 328,818 

L881-2 331,817 

1882-3 372,529 

1883-4 243,381 

1884-5 295,817 



Reference to the tables of Direct Exports shown on the two following 
pages will demonstrate the growth of the trade since January 1st, 1865. 




aq 



© 



T) NORFOLK AND POKTTMOUTH. 






:-: 

^ 2 ^ '£. f- ¥ 5" 5 - 



2Lo>3 



3 3 n (Jq (W £ 

s 

S 



O 



<afe 












44 








-¥? 




c 
























is 








tO 30 


00 


#■ 


-3 CI • 




IS p-i 


P-" IC i—i. 


/ 




•*- o: 


in • 


4- 3D Ol 




Ol 














4- 


m +- : 


os : 


OiO<I 


oc ce - 




O 


oi cc : 


<os : 


0~J 4- 


9iH 1 




09 


■I 7 • 


o • 


O Ol os 


O 'X 35 





on r. X -1 CD r-» 

W -} Ol O K w 

^ o« i-» «o o -4 



Ci W ^ ii 00 X o 

o si to --i or to -^ 

O i— 1 03 05 44 O OS 



to o cc 

c: "-S oa 
4- o: r. 



09 (-4 
01 4- 

© IS 



«-i -i 10 ~4 Hi 

►-» SOJOSJS 

(9 lv r-i »J il S 
»l OIO^OQC 



X 00 
-J 44 

o to 



oi 4-i : 4- i — i 

©©: rf^-ji *■ 

os : 4-i u cs © '• bs'socs 

o : ic o *• » : 4-^4-i 

O • Ol O - - lv • -Q IC 09* 



4fe 



X IS 

09 O 

en© 



-1 05 CD 4-1 09 ►-> H4 O ■ 

-a bi n *• -} O o o 

S3 XC43ICOO 



4-1 CO © 

01 is c 

te oo 



►4 ~ W -! X OS 09 "J 4-i 

toot^ssooiooa: 

IOMM»OOOi.QM 



■m 



oi w tc oi H-ntosioon^'j-i 
aoo53::3:'X::ooM4--- 
ROOlObSOKOOOOOOMOoD 

-irf'-cnoooo^ooootac 

oi o o o o o o q-i ©or: o ~i o 



• 


OS Ol 


oo 


. OS 00 44 




• rf*. os ao 


OS 










: - 4- -i 




OS -1 00 




■s© 




1—1 
















to CO 


OO 




X cs 


00 






tO 










09 00 






CO to 






QC OS 





,_, 



•6© 








<3© 




05 








CT 




tc 








tO iS 44 




-J 


44 OS 




4- 


4i- CD -I 




00 


oo to 


OS or tO — -I 


-1 


.. 0< O 


00 
















IS 09 


CO O CD © 44 


-t 


4- OC Si 


<! 






44 00 CO OS 4- 


- 


<i -* CO 


is 


4- '_ 


Oi SS 4- Si ifi 




OS OS <o 




4- 


IS -1 


O o o © — 


o 


— is — 




09 


i? -i 


o o o o to 


o 


O OS 44 




■/.• 








•m 




-3 








-1 




ao 








M (0 W 




to 


09 






O0O9 OS 




OS 


il -( 


i-» cc oo 




0' 4- o 


00 


to 


oc 


OS OS QC SS 07 




O 44 ^> 


-/ 
os 




o o 


o - oi — CO 




co to 55 


00 


-4 OS 


O Oi i— CO ti. 




CO -J Ol 




OT 


OT O 


o c o o o 




ooo 




o 


oo 


o o o o o 




coo 





111 



a 

w 

o 

w 

X 
no 
O 

H 

w 

> 

H 
O 

r 

w 

CO 



112 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



m 

W 
U 

H 

< 

m 

H 
O 

cu 
w 

H 

a 
w 



-2 






co o oo 
OJ •* m 

© I-H "* 



eo © r- 

oc o co 

H © i-i 



O M 
£- © 



in © co 

lO rt< 1> 

CD »C © 
©'©*©" 
00 CM t- 



© CM CO 

SOrtO 
rtBIO 



C> CO 
■<*■ CD 
t- © 



COOSC1 
<M 00 SO 
07 © © 

GCCO © 

© CO "-< 



Tfi i-l CC 
iHt-lO 

CO © iO 



© CO © 

1# © © 

© CQC^ 

of©"©" 
op© t- 

CC CN 



«-© 

© lO 

I- t- 



© **« © 
t- e> © 

00 00 t- 

io"© 
t- a. 

© i-i 

99- 



© oo co © o 

H » OD l- C) 

© i-l -f © © 



© © iO 

T-l t- O 

oo oo © 



© 00 CO 
<M 'CO rt 
CO © (N 

CO"— ^ ^ 
CO -i CD 



t^ 00 CO 
I- O 00 

-* CO OJ 

cf ao"co" 

t-H © -t 

t- CO 
€£. * 



CO CC CC 

CO OJiO 
CO CO CO 



o* x- ©c 

© 00 01 t- 

Oi © cr. ^c 



© CO t- 
CO C- 

C) CO 



O O 'C w 

oooon 

1© t- l^-t-* 



© t- 
t- ~ 
t— © 



o< © © 
OJ -<*i © 
C3-^CO 

■* V? rr* 

CO © — 



io oo c i-i '" 
- © r. i- cd 
r- t- ci © i-i 



*M tC • " flj W -T", * - »v r- 



0> .fi 

OS Eh i 



1 



in 

X 



TO KORFOLK AWD PORTSMOUTH. 



113 



Vice Consulates of Great Britian, 
Netherlands, and 
J Brazil. 



Ai?cnt* for Lloyd's. Liverpool, 
Glasgow, Italian, Dutch, 
French, Austrian. New York and 
Philadelphia Underwriters. 




ESTABLISHED 1786. 



Steamship Agents and Ship Brokers 

NORFOLK, VA. 

CABLE ADDRESS, "MYERS, NORFOLK." 



Vessels chartered to and from European and West India Ports, and 

Merchandise Forwarded to all Points at Lowest Rates. 

CORRESPONDENCE SOLICITED. 



INCORPORATED 1 883. 






miuY. 



The Importation of all kinds of Foreign Salt 
a Specialty. 

OFFICERS = 

M. L. T. HA VIS, of M. L. T. Davis & Co., President. 

T. A. WILLIAMS, of T. A. Williams & Co., Vice-President. 
W. C. DICKSON, of W. C. Dickson & Co., Treasurer. 

WASHINGTON TAYLOR, of Washington Taylor & Co.,.S0c'y 

W. D DEN BY, Superintendent 

DIRECTORS : 

M L T DAVIS, of M. L. T. Davis & Co., Norfolk, 

T A.WILLIAMS, of T. A. Williams & ( O.Norfolk. 

JAS. T. BOKUM. of W. F Allen & Co., Norfolk. 

WASHINGTON TAYLOK, of Washington Taylor & c o., Norfolk 
RICHARD EVANS, of Evans, Burwell & Tazewell. Norfolk 
W C DICK>ON. of W C. Dickson & Co.. Norfolk. 

W\ G. W. PARKER, of W. & .1. Parker. Portsmouth 

CORRESPONDENCE SOLICITED. 



Il4 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GtJtDfi 

COTTON AND COMMISSION. 



LTHOUGH the Porb of Norfolk and Portsmouth enjoys several dis- 
||j|tinct and separate claims as an important Business Centre, it is 
principally to Cotton that she owes her commercial reputation. 
Thanks to the intelligence, prudence and enterprise of the business men 
who have turned to the best account her great natural advantages, she has 
grown and prospered until to-day she stands second on the list of cotton 
ports in the United States as to her receipts, and third as to her direct 
foreign exports. In the season of 1858-9 Norfolk's receipts of cotton 
amounted to 6,174 bales, in 1865-6 they were 59,096 and in 1882-3 they 
reached 800,133 bales, the largest number ever recorded, and 80,617 bales 
in excess of any other year. There has been a considerable falling off during 
the last two seasons, but this has been owing to the shortness of the crop, 
and our port has received its full proportion. Millions of dollars worth 
of the snow r y staple passes through our market every year, and some of 
the wealth which it represents stays here in the form of commissions, cost 
of handling, freights, and so forth, and the storage room necessary to ac- 
commodate this vast bulk has become so scarce that the value of land and 
warehouse property adjoining the wharves has become greatly enhanced. 
The Cotton Compress Companies do much to relieve the delay in loading 
vessels, their business being to reduce the bulk of the cotton bales in 
their powerful steam presses to one-third of their original size. When 
thus compressed the bales are easy to handle and convenient to stow, and 
the stevedores see that no time is lost in "speeding the parting guest." 
The following table exhibits the receipts of cotton by bales at Norfolk 
during the past 27 seasons, beginning with September 1st and ending with 
August 3 1st of each year: 

Year. Bales. Year. Bales. 

1858 -' 9 6,174 j i873-'4 472,446 

1859-'60 17,777 1874-'5 393,672 

1860-'l 33,193 1875-'6 469,998 

[1861 to 1865— The Civil War,] 1876-'7 509,612 

1865-'6 59,096 1S77-'S 430,557 

1866.'7 126,287 1878-'9 443,285 

1867-'s 155,591 1879-'80 597,086 

1868-'9 164,789 1880-'l 713,026 

1869-'70 178,352 1881-'2 622,883 

1870-'l ..302,930 1882-'3 800,133 

l871-'2 258,730 1883-'4 582,872 

1872 - 5 3 405,412 1884-'5 545,418 



• TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 115 

Subjoined is a statement of the receipts and shipments of cotton as re- 
corded on the books of the Norfolk and Portsmouth Cotton Exchange, for 
access to which we are indebted to the courtesy of the Secretary, Mr. 
Norman Bell : 

BALES. 
Season t874-'5— Receipts year ending 31st August, 1875. .. 393,072 

Shipments, coast wi«« 326,281 

Exported Great Britain. . . . 63,629 

Exported Continent :;.."is:; 67,212 

Total Shipments 393. 193 

Season 1 8 75-'l »— Receipts year ending 31st August. 1876. . 169,968 

Shipments coastwise 361,053 

Exported Great Britain 103,869 

Exported France L,8l7 

Exported Continent , .. 3,007 L08,693 

Total Shipments 169,746 

Season 1876-'7 — Receipts year ending 31st August. 1877.. 509,612 

Shipments, coastwise 391,838 

Exported Great Britain 112,245 

» Exported France 1,602 

Exported Continent 3,008 116,855 

Total Shipments 508,693 

Season l877-'8— Receipts year ending 31st August. 1878 130,557 

Shipments, coastwise 271,144 

Exported Great Britain 157,153 

Exported France 2.204 159,357 

Total shipments 430,501 

Season l878-'9— Receipts year ending 31st August. 1879... 4 13,285 

Shipments coatwise 239,1* 8 

Exported Great Britain 199,815 

Exported France ... 713 

Exported Continent 3,008 203,536 

Total shipments 442,694 

Season l879-'80— Receipts year ending 31st August, 1880 597,086 

Shipments coastwise 337,226 

Exported Great Britain 246,674 

Exported France 1.470 

Exported Continent 8,912 257,065 

Total shipments 594,291 

Season 1880-' 1— Receipts year ending 31st Angust, 1881 713,026 

Shipments coastwise £92,079 

Exported Great Britain 316,046 

Exported France 2.850 

Exported Continent 9,922 328.818 

Total shipments. 720,897 

Season 18Sl-'2— Receipts year ending 31st August, 1882. . 622,883 

Shipments coastwise 289,032 

Exported Great Britain 311,879 

Exported France 2.580 

Exported Continent 17,358 331,817 

Total shipments :.' 620,849 



116 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

Season l882-'3— Receipts year ending August 31st, 1883... ^ 800.133 

Shipments coastwise 411,833 

Exported Great Britain 341,083 

Exported Continent...... 30,546 372.539 

Total shipments 787,362 

Season l883-'4— Receipts year ending August 31st, 1884... . - - . 583,879 

Shipments coastwise 345,450 

Exported Great Britain 332,793 

Exported Continent...., '20,588 243,381 

Total shipments 588,837 

Season 1884-'.")— Receipts year ending August 31st, 1885... ^ 545,418 

Shipments coastwise 250,089 

Exported Great Britain 277,607 

Exported Continent ... 18,150 205,817 

Total shipments 552,806 

The Norfolk and Portsmouth Cotton Exchange has proved a powerful 
factor in building up our cotton trade. The Exchange Building is situated 
on Water Street, near the centre of that business of which it is at once the 
guide, protector and acknowledged head. The actual cash capital em- 
ployed in the cotton commission business in the two Cities constituting 
the port of Norfolk is roundly estimated at $2,500,000. 

Besides the commission merchants who devote their attention exclusive- 
ly to cotton, there are many who deal largely in general produce as well. 
This branch of the business employs considerable capital, for it is often 
necessary to supply the farmer and planter with provisions, implements, 
fertilizers, and even seeds, on credit for several months before his crops are 
marketable and he finds himself in a position to make a settlement. 
Great prudence is therefore required, and it is generally exercised, by our 
commission merchants in the selection of their custom, but an occasional 
failure gives evidence of mistaken judgment or misplaced confidence. 




TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



ip 
&• 



•**m 



m 



nnmii * 



117 



w> 



COTTON FACTORS 



A.ND- 



suciicr jI Commission Mercf'tau ts 




No. 64 Water Street, 



Special attention paid to the sale of Cotton, Corn, Peanuts and 
Country Produce generally. Liberal advances made upon Consignments 
in hand, and the highest market prices guaranteed. 

Prompt returns made unless otherwise instructed. Refer to The 
Citizens' Bank, Norfolk, Va. 

R. A. DOBIE & CO. 



DO STRICTLY A COMMISSION BUSINESS, 



118 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

A. F, ETHEPiEDGE. E. C. BROOKS. 

ESTABLISHED 1839. 



HTHHBEDEB k BROOKS 

COTTON FACTORS, 

General Commission Merchant 



5 
AND DEALERS IN 

Guano, Coal, Lime, Plaster, Cement and Hay, 
PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



SPECIAL TO 

Most lands need Lime, and to fill the wants we are manufacturing 



Which we put up in new four-bushel bags, and deliver to cars or bo.ils 
(Ten to the Ton) at 

FIVE DOLLARS DPER TOA; 

In Car Lots of 10 Tons, $4.50. Cash with order. 

fl^We keep the BEST COTTON FERTILIZERS, which we sell 
very low for cash. 

Correspondence Solicted. 

ETHEREDGE & BROOKS, 

No§. 307 to SIS High Street, 
PORTSMOUTH, VA, 



tO NORFOLK AND 1'ORTSMOUfH. Ll9 

J. W. PERRY & CO., 

Cotton Factors and toral Commission Merchants, 

Tunis' Warehouse and Wharf, Norfolk, Va. 

CONSIGNMENTS SOLICITED. 

The Sale of COTTON a Specialty. 

Do EXCLUSIVELY a COMMISSION BUSINESS. 

«ooi>kh>c;e, FIEL1> cV CO., 

Grain and Flour Commission and Brokerage, 

NORFOLK, VA. 



R. W. STIRESj, 

shipping and commission merchant, 

And Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Empty Truck Barrels, Boxes, 

Berry Crates, <S:c. 

Office and Factory. 40 and Ai Church Street. Warehouse, 60, 62 and 64 Union 
Street, and 5 Roanoke Dock, NORFOLK. VA. 



BELL, IRVINE 4k €®„ 

C M M 1 S S I O W If E R C H A M T S . 

50 Main Street, Atlantic Hotel Building, 

NOKPOLK, - VIRGINIA. 



H. C. NIEMEYER. s - ^ v - KIEMEYEE. 

IIEMEYE1 & CO- 

GENERAL COMMISSION MERCEA* TS & OOTTO V FACTORS 

Dealers iu Hay, Corn, Oats, Flour, and Provisions. No. 1 Peruvian Guano, 
Coal of all kinds. Fertilizers and Building Material, 

115 & I 17 HIGH STREET, PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



120 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GtitDfc 



SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. 



IT is not our purpose to weary the reader by attempting to advance any 
original ideas upon the momentous question of Education, which is 
^l universally admitted to be one of paramount importance in every 
civilized and progressive community, and has been worn almost thread- 
bare by the preachers and lecturers, commentators and statesmen, of all 
generations. Our present concern is merely with the facilities which are 
enjoyed by our own people for securing this " pearl without price," and the 
statistics in this respect make a very handsome showing. We have an ex- 
cellent system of Public Schools, consisting of Primary and Grammar de- 
partments. To these will doubtless be added at no distant date a High 
School, for which considerable demand is now made, and which is alone 
needed to make our public school system complete. Our private semina- 
ries for boys and girls are of the very highest order, and afford a first-class 
education. The Norfolk College for Young Ladies is one of the leading 
institutions of its kind in the whole country, and is attended by students 
from all sections. There are many parents who think it to their children's 
advantage to become early independent of the limited and sometimes mo- 
notonous influences of the home circle, and therefore prefer for them a 
boarding school at not too great a distance ; and again, later on, they desire 
that their sons shall enjoy the benefits of a University training. To these 
it is a source of great comfort that they are within such easy reach of 
schools like the University School at Petersburg, and the seats of more 
advanced learning, such as the Medical College at Kichmond, the Univer- 
sity of Virginia at Charlottesville, the College of Physicians and Surgeons 
at Baltimore, and other first-rate educational institutions wtiich abound in 
this and the adjoining States. Norfolk and Portsmouth are famous for 
their accomplished ladies and talented professional men, aud nearly all of 
these have received their education within the boundaries of Virginia, if 
not within the limits of these two cities. In fact, there is no spot in the 
United States which enjoys greater educational facilities than this, and 
both cause and effect may be attributed to the same fact, namely, that our 
people fully appreciate the advantages— social, professional, commercial 
and political— of a sound and liberal education, and spare no effort to 
secure it for their children. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



■m 




WMMQM: iittKii! I©!. Y^0$® mm 



OFFICERS: 

JOHN L. ROPER, President. KADER BIGGS, Vice-President. 

R. H. WYNNE, Secretary. 



M. L. T. DAVIS. 
E. T. POWELL, 
S. A. STEVENS, 
LUTHER SHELDON. 



BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 

GEORGE W. DEY, 
THOMAS E. ELLIOTT. 
W. S. WILKINSON, 
L. HARMANSON, 



C. L. UPSHUR, 
FRED. GREENWOOD, 
A. A. McCULLOUGH, 
R. S. DODSON 



FACULTY— SESSION IS85-'6. 



Rev. R. M. SAUNDERS. Principal, 
Professor of Mental and Moral Science. 
Mrs. M. J. T. SAUNDERS, 
Modern Languages. 
Miss MARY M. PITCHER, A. M., (Cor- 
nell University), 
English Language and English Literal" ft. 
NEWTON FITZ. 
Professor of Mathematics. 
Rev. R. H. WYNNE, 
Assistant Professor of Latin. 
Rev. R. M. SAUNDERS, 
Profeseor of Physical Sciences. 
Miss STELLA L. LILLY, 
Rhetoric- and Composition. 
Miss VIRGINIA SCHOLEFIELD, 
Elocution, Calisthenics and English. 
Miss S. TOMMIE HALL, 
English, Mathematics and Penmanship, 



NEWTON FITZ, 

Professor of Music, Instrumental, and Vocal. 

ANTON F. KOERNER, 

Adjunct Professor of Instrumental Music . 

Miss ANTOINEiTE H. 

W T ELLHAUSEN, 

Vocal Music ami t/ir Cultivation of the Voice, 

I'iano. 

Miss ANTOINETTE II. 

WELLHAUSEN, 

French and German Conversation 

Miss IDA A SQUIER, B. P.. 

Art Department. 

Miss STELLA L. LILLY, 

Principal of IntermediaU Department. 

Miss BELLE BOYKIN. 
Principal of tlu Primary Department, 

Miss CATTIE V.'BOUSH, 
Lady Manager Boarding Department. 



Ni'w. elegant brick buildin 
the City Water Works, bath ro 
vrnieniT and comfort provide 
study. Course in English, in additi 



rh. thorough 



•niihi 



from 



-mm.' 



abundance "t light, 
team radiators. Kv 

oarders. Best modern educational appliances. Full Collegiate coura 

to the usual preparatory studies, includes Anglo-Saxon, Philology and His 

toi'ical Grammar, as well as Literature and Criticism, and in its methods of teaching Is the work "i an experienced 
specialist. It is supplemented by a Post-Graduate Course of Readings and Lectures. Special provision for besl In 
steuction in Calisthenics. Elocution, Natural Sciences, Music, Drawing and Painting, Ancient and Modern I .an 
guages, conversation in French and German daily, ruder Protestant influences, bul Undenominational 

Charges very low when superior advantages an c onsi dered. 
For Catalogue, containing- full information, address K. H. WYNNE, Secretary. 



132 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

Established Sept. 1st, 1868. 

jSjlJA-JtiGji INSTITUTE 

—--von THEv- 

MALE AND FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL, 



W. H. STOKES, Principal, 
Miss E. J. STOKES, Assistant. 



Annual Term begins on first Monday of September and continues for 

F0RTY C0NjSECU>FiYE WEEKft 

not including a two weeks recess at Christmas. Students will be received 

however, at any time. 



The design of this place of instruction is to afford to the youth of this 
section a thorough preparation for College, and the United States Naval 
and Military Academies, or to prepare them to enter at once upon the 
practical business of life. 

Boys and Girls of all ages are taken and careful attention is bestowed 
upon all alike. 

In connection with this Institute during the Winter months we 
conduct a 

COMMERCIAL NIGHT SCHOOL 

for young men, where Book-keeping, Mathematics. Penmanship, and the 
English Branches are taught. 

For Circulars containing terms, course of studies, &c, &c, address the 
Principal, 

No. 206 COURT STREET, 

I». O. Box 173. PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



M1BICAI raUJvCK OP YI 

RICHMOND. 



L2J 




FACULT Y 



PROFESSORS. 



and Children. 



JOHN S. WFLI.FORD. M. P.. l'i-r.-vr.. i.f W,,m 

J. S. DORSEY CULLEN, M. D., Surgery. 

WILLIAM II. TAYLOR. M. D.. Chi mi 

CHRISTOPHER TOMPKINS, M. I'.. I 

M MH'IN I.. .1 oiks. ji. Ik. Practice oi 

HENRY M. LEVY, M. Ik. 1 IivmoIm^v .in. I Pathologj 

John X. I'IMIl K. M. D., Materia Ye lira and rheraneutie*. 

GEORGE BENJAMIN JOHNSTON, M. D., General and Special Inatoraj 



id Pharmacy. 
:saud Diseases of thePuerpera! State. 

in* 1 . 



ADJUNCT FACULTY. 



.roiix R. wheat . M .D., 'Demonstrator of Anatomy. 

CHARLES M. SHETLDS, M. D., Diseases of the Eye, Ear and Throat. 

WM. AUGUSTUS LEE, M. D„ Obstetrics and |]|-imm> of the Puerperal state 

CHARLES II. THAI KI.EY. M. IK. Chemistry. 

ARMISTEAD L. WELLFOKD, M. i> . Pis. ,e-.- ..f Women and Children 

WILLIAM T. OPPENHEIMER, M. I>.. Surgery 

LEWIS C. BOSHER, M. P.. Anatomy. 

WILLIAM F. MERCER, M. P.. Materia Medlea and Therapeutics. 

EDWARD ''. SMITH. M. IK. Phvsioloprv and Patholoirv. 

CHARLES A. BLANTON, M. 0., Praotice of Medicine 



The forty-ninth ANNUAL SESSION begins October 1st, 

nth particulars, or further information address 



S, and will continue siz months. For catalojru^ 



M. L. James, M. D., Dean of the Faculty, 

312 East Grace Street, Richmond, Va, 



124 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

I^OTJIVl^E:!} : 1865. 



THE 

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL, 

PETERSBURG, VA. 

W. GORDON McCABE, (U. of Va.), Head Master. 

Instructor in Ancient Languages, French, German and Early English. 



Assistant Masters : 

JAMBS EOY MICOU, (IT. of Va.), 
Instructor in Mathematies. 

JOHN DUNN, M. A., (IT. of Va.), 
Asst. Instructor in Mathematics and German. 

W. G. MANLY, (IT. of Va.), 
Asst. Inetructor in Greek and English. 

J. CALVIN LESTER, 
Asst. Instructor in Mathematcis and English. 

Continuous Session from October 1st to June 30th. 

The University School is mainly preparatory to the University of 
Virginia, the Professors of which Institution endorse it most heartily. 
(See Catalogue.) During the past twenty years it has also prepared and 
sent up to Princeton, West Point, Annapolis, Boston Institute of 
Technology, and other Institutions of high grade, a great number of 
pupils whose uniform success is the best guarantee of the thoroughness of 
the instruction in the School. 

For Board, Tuition, Washing:, Fuel and Lights, Per Session of 

Nine Months, (payable half-yearly) $340 00 

The Head Master takes into his own family a limited number of boarders. As these places 
are usually taken promptly, early application is advisable. 

ZW No boarding pupils are received for less time than the whole session. 

The health of Petersburg is excellent. 

For Catalogues and detailed information, address 

W. GORDON McCABE, Head Master, 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



125 



College of Physicians and Surgeons, 



BALTIMORE, MD. 



JF'aLCiiXty of* ]>Xedic»ino : 



THOMAS OPIE. M. D.. 

Prof, of Obstetrics and Dean of the 

Faculty. 

JOHN S. LYNCH, M. D., 

Prof, of Prin. and Practice of Medicine 

and Clinical Prof, of Chest and throat. 

THOMAS S. LATIMER. M. D., 

Prof, of Physiology and Diseases of 

Children. 

A. F. ERICH, M. D., 

Professor of Diseases of Women. 

AARON FRIEDEN WALD, M. D., 

Professor of Diseases of the Eve and 

Ear. 



CHARLES. F. BEVAN, M. D.. 

Professor of Anatomy, Genito-Urinary 

and Orthopedic Surgery. 

OSCAR J. COSKERY, M. D.. 

Prof, of Surgery. 
ABRAM B. ARNOLD, M. D., 
Prof, of Clinical Medicine and Diseases 
of the Nervous System . 
RICHARD GUNDRY, M. D.. 
Professor of Materia Medica, Thera- 
peutics and Mental Diseases. 
WM. SIMON M. D., Ph. D.. 
Professor of Chemistry. 



Auxiliary Professors and Special Lecturers. 



GEORGE H. ROHE, M. D.. 
Prof, of Hygiene and Clin. D ermatology. 

J. W; CHAMBERS, M. D., 
Lecturer on Applied Anat omy of Nerv- 
ous System. 
N. G. KEIRLE. M. D., 
Lecturer on Pathological Histology. 
J. H. BRANHAM. M. D., 
Lecturer on Regional Anatomy. 
W. D. BOOKER, M. D., 
Lecturer on Physiology. 
R. B. WINDER, M, D.. D. D. S., 
Prof, of Prin. and Prac. Dental Surgery 
as applied to Medicine. 



F. RUDOLPH NORDMANN, M. D., 
Demonstrator of Chemistry, 

JNO. F. HANCOCK, Phar. D., 
Lecturer on Pharmacy. 

J. W. CHAMBERS, M. D.. 
Demonstrator of Anatomy, 

J. H. BRANHAM, M. D., 

Assistant Demonstrator of Anatomy. 

WM. D BOOKER, M. D.. 

Demonstrator of Physiology. 

WM. T COUNCILMAN, M. D.. 

Pathologist at Bay View. 



N. G. KEIRLE, M, D., Demonstrator of Pathology. 



The Regular Winter Session will begin OCTOBER 1st, W ami end MAR^H 15th, 1387- 

ffil ^^^Z a ^i^Z^^^^o^^ ] Zri Sffi deceives a 

la ^ h ^S ^W^'^rofteVtrU- oases during the whole year and furnishes 
for each student bedside instruction and experience. . H,„T M fn«n.ii. 

The Maryland Woman's Hospital connectei by a covered way with the ^ctoreHalls, 
enables the Professors of Gynecology to demonstrate practically the \anous diseases 
of women and to perform operations before the class 

Bay View, the Alms-house of Baltimore, which contains (TO1 beds, has recently been 
thrown open for the Clinical instructions of the students of this sch ol 

The Physiological, Chemical and Pathological Laboratories are fu ly equipped and in 
working order. Attendance on demonstrations is required ol every student. 

The Anatomical Rooms are spacious and airy an 1 dissecting material is abundant. 

For full information concerning the College or for the catalogue and Announcement 
of 18E6, address 

THOMAS OPIE, M. D., Dean, 

179 N. Howard Street. 



126 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 
I 




161 WEST LOMBARD ST.. 

BALTIMORE, MD. 




This Institution was inaugurated and lias been in successful operation 
since 1874. Having been liberally aided by the Legislature of Maryland, 
no cost nor pains have .been spared, to make it as perfect as possible in all 
its departments. 

Large, neat and thoroughly ventilated PRIVATE ROOMS, furnished 
with every modern appliance and convenience, can be secured at all times. 

There are two Resident Physicians always on hand, ready to afford as- 
sistance and conduce to the comfort of the inmates. 

The strictest privacy is assured. All communications confidential. 

HOSPITAL COMMITTEE, 

1( 1 W. Loiulai d St., Baltimore, Md. 



TO NORFOLK AND POfcTSMOtttfi. l'>? 

IRON WORKS, FOUNDRIES AND MARINE 

RAILWAYS. 



i^fONSPICUOUS among the necessities of a prosperous sea-port are such 
^ establishments as are above enumerated, and we may assert without 
fear of contradiction that they are very essential also to the success 
of agricultural and manufacturing interests. In this respect Norfolk and 
Portsmouth are very well off. having several flourishing establishments of 
each class, and there is no tear of any emergency arising which would 
compel us to go beyond our own boundaries in order to supply our neces- 
sities. At present our works are busy enough to furnish employment to 
every iron worker, boiler maker and ship carpenter in the two cities, and 
it frequently happens that our iron masters are obliged to import labor. 
During every month of the year, but more noticeably while the busy win- 
ter season is upon us, the iron works and marine railways of Norfolk and 
Portsmouth are taxed to their fullest capacity. The clang of the mallei 
and hammer in the machine shops, and the rattle of the chains as some 
renovated vessel returns to her "native element," are familiar sounds to 
our citizens by day and by night, and would be sadly missed were they to 
cease. In times of financial depression, the trades to which we now allude 
are among the first to exhibit signs of weakness, and the enforced idleness 
of the laboring classes exercises a most injurious effect upon the whole 
body commercial. But fortunately the reverse is no less true. .Money is 
largely kept in circulation by those who are paid off daily, weekly or 
monthly, and when these are steadily employed at fair wages, as is gener- 
ally the case here with those to whom we now particularly refer, the 
healthful influence is felt throughout the community. Boilers, portable 
and stationary engines, agricultural machinery, locomotives, all of the best 
material and most skillful workmanship, are among the products of our 
iron works and foundries. They are manufactured chiefly for the cotton 
and timber districts of the South, and have invariably given complete sat- 
isfaction, even when tested in competition with those bearing the names of 
famous Northern establishments. Our marine railways are not large 
enough for the demands sometimes made upon them, and it occasionallv 
happens that a vessel is delayed for some days before her repairs can be 
attended to; but this is a fault that will shortly be remedied, as we ai\. 
informed. On the whole, we have good cause for pride and gratification 
at the progress already made in these branches of industry in the two 
Cities, and there is every reason for believing that a prosperous future is 
before them. 



128 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



ELIZABETH IRON WORKS, 

CHAS. W. PETTIT, 



PROPRIETOR. 



Nos. 280 to 286 Water Street, 



.9 ^A^m 




Manufacturer of Steam Engines, Boilers, 

SAW AND GRIST MILLS, 

SHAFTING, PULLEYS, HANGERS, FORCINGS & CASTINGS. 

Southern Agency of the celebrated Craiiey Boiler Cleaner, for the 
removal of Mud and Sediment from Boilers. Send for descriptive cir- 
cular. 

Special attention given to the repairs of STEAMBOATS and MACHIN- 
ERY of all kinds. 

fi@~MACHINISTS AND BOILER MAKERS sent to any part of the 
Country to repair work. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 

GEO. W. DUVAL & CO , 



129 







Corner Water and Nebraska Sts., 

NORFOLK, VA. 

»~*~> 

ENGINES, BOILERS, SAW MILLS, 

AND ALL KINDS OF 

HMMLliRY ©4 III Mif UVM^nM VAfflUfc 

fllsSO REP/ORI^G JiW TJIE SHORTER NOTICE. 
CASTINGS FURNISHED AT REASONABLE RATES. 

^"Particular Attention Paid to Steamboat Work.-^a 

Duval's Patent Improved BOILER TUBE FERRULES are the only perfect 
remedy for Leaky Boiler Tubes. They can be inserted in a few minutes by any 
Engineer, and are guai'anteed to stop the leaks. 




STEAM SECTIOHAL MARINE RAILWAY 



SPiip 
Builiep 



— AND 



LUMBER 

MANUFACTURER 

Saw and 

\ Planing * Mills, 
Scroll 
Sawing. 

All Kinds of Brackets and Mouldings 

FURNISHED ON SHORT NOTICE. 

Nos. 209 to 223 Water Street, - NORFOLK, VA. 



Sfar 
^aRer. 




130 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

WM. H. TAPPET. ALEX. STEEL. 

TAPPEY & STEEL, 

PETERSBURG, YA. 

[manufacturers of 




Engines, Tobacco, Cotton and Hay Presses, Saw, Grist and Sumac 

Mills, and Mill Gearing Generally. 
ELEVATORS FOR STORES AM) FACTORIES. 

NEW AND SECOND-HAND ENGINES FOR SALE. 

We guarantee satisfaction, as we have done for forty years. 

TAPPEY & STEEL, 

PETERSBURG, VA. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 131 

•TWO. L. THOMAS. 

Shipwright, Sparmaker, Caulker, &c. 

^SEQTlbfljU. STEAM MAWflE WMlWAYi** 

NORFOLK HARBOR. Opposite Portsmouth, Va. 

ADDRESS. 311 SOUTH STREET, PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



^STEHM ENGINES -AND BOILERS*- 

ALI> STYLES AND !«-; I y: 1 : >-; . 

Wood Working and Grist Mill Machinery, 
CYLINDER AND MACHINE OILS, 

O. B. GOODWIN. 

66 Water Street, Norfolk, Va. 



J. H Watters, Pres't. H. Hodges, Sec'yand Treas. Jules Morein, Supt. 

Norfolk Iron Railing and Manufacturing Company, Limited 

Successors to II. HODGES & CO. and JULES MOREIN, 

i 41 WATER STREET, - NORFOLK, VA. 

Dealers in anrl Manufacturers of 

Iron Fronts and Columns, 

Wrought Malleable, Wire anrl Cast Iron Ornamental and Plain Railing: of all kinds. Spiral 

Steps. Fountains, Vases, Ornamental Architectural Castings of every description, Sc. 
gP" Lightning Rods Furnished and Put up. 



316, 318, 320 & 322 Thirteenth Street, N. W- 
1863 WASHINGTON, D. c. 1886 

THOS. SOMERYILLE k SOHS, 

Manufacturers and Importers of and Dealers in 

PIUiYIBEES' SUPPLIES, 

OnCPT h l TT17Q ( STEAM HEATING SUPPLIES, 

Of til AL I 1 LO. / STAR NOISELESS TANKS FOR WATER CLOSETS. 



Steam Pumps, Steam Gauges, Lubricators, &c, Cistern, Well 

and Force Pumps. Lead, Cast Iron, Wrought 

Iron and Terra Cotta Pipes, 



132 



GENERAL and commercial gttide 



PEANUTS. 



ITHIN the last ten years Tidewater Virginia has developed a won- 
derful trade in this product, and has outstripped all other States 
in its cultivation. In the season of 1S73-4 Virginia produced 
only 225,000 bushels, while in 1884-5 her yield amounted to 2,000,000 
bushels. The light, sandy soil seems to suit the crop exactly, and the 
peanuts grown in this section command a higher price than those raised 
in any other vState. Norfolk stands pre-eminently above any other mar- 
ket in America in this specialty, the importance of which, however, and 
its influence upon other branches of our trade is not as yet fully appre- 
ciated. The " factories" or cleaning establishments in the City give em- 
ployment to hundreds of hands, and make large daily shipments of as- 
sorted peanuts to all points at the North and West, from Maine to Texas. 
The factories are supplied with machinery for cleaning and polishing the 
hulls and assorting the nuts according to size, thus saving a great deal of 
time and trouble as compared with the old system of washing and distrib- 
uting by hatid. The peanut is of African origin, and was introduced to 
this country by some trading vessel — probably a " slaver." The African 
nut, however, is of inferior quality as an article of food, although it is ex- 
tremely valuable as a commercial commodity, for it produces a large pro- 
portion of the so-called olive oil of French manufacture. Nearly the en- 
tire crop of this State is grown within the limits of a few counties imme- 
diately contiguous to Norfolk, namely: Sussex, Surry, Southampton, Isle 
of Wight, Nansemond, Warwick and Princess Anne, and about four-fifths 
of the whole yield is purchased by our dealers and distributed by them to 
the various points of consumption. After Virginia the States of Tennes- 
see and North Carolina produce the largest crops, and the following com- 
parative statement of each year's yield since 1873 will be found of interest 
to those engaged in the trade : 



Season. 



1873-4 . 
1874-5 . 
1875-6 . 
1876-7 . 
1877-8 . 
1878-9 . 
1879-80. 
1880-1 . 
1881-2 
1882-3 . 
1883-4 . 
1884-5 . 
1885-6 . 



Virginia. 



225,000 

350.000 

450,000 

780.000 

405,000 

875,000 

1,350,000 

1,500,000 

825,000 

1,250,000 

1,500,000 

2,000,000 

1,500.000 



Tennessee. 



175,000 
200,000 
235,000 
500,000 
325,000 
425,000 
750,000 
750,000 
250,000 
460,000 
800,000 
1,250,000 
700,000 



North 
Carolina. 



60,000 
120,000 
100,000 
125,000 
100,000 

90.000 
120,000 
120,000 

75.000 
140,000 
150,000 
300,000 
200,000 



Total. 



460,000 

670,000 

785.000 

1,450,000 

830,000 

1,390,000 

2,220,000 

2,370,000 

1,150,000 

1.850,000 

2,450,000 

3,550,000 

2.400.000 



Other counties not enumerated above are beginning to cultivate the 
peanut, and it is expected that before long those of Prince George, York, 
Norfolk, Elizabeth City and Mathews will be able to contribute a fair 
amount to the grand total. Notwithstanding the large increase in pro- 
duction, the demand appears to be gaining upon it, and prices are well 
sustained. 



TO NORFOLK AND roRTRMOlTH. 



133 



^^THE 



%v 



NORFOLK STORAGE m. 

The Largest Peanut Establishment 
in the World. 




WHOLESALE DEALERS IK 

Fancy Hand-picked and Extra Hand-picked 



■ 




f 




JT_ 



^\\TAc\ r/3> 





i% £§ 






< i^^ ! ' 



Weekly prices furnished on application. Correspondence Solicited. 

FACTORIES: 

Nos. 153, 155, 157 159 AIM) 1G1 WATER STREET, 



134 



B F. WALTERS. 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



JAMES MONTGOMERY 



F. L. SLADE. 



WALTERS & CO., 

Wholesale Dealers in and Polishers of 




Hand-Picked Virginia Peanuts. 

We Clean, Grade, Repack and Shell, and are Proprietors of the following 
CELEBRATED BRANDS: 

"Maud S." "Cocks/' 

* St. Julian," " Choice Virginias." 

All quotations at Factory, and subject to fluctuations of the market. 

When in need of goods it will to your interest to communicate with 
us, as we are the LARGEST OPERATORS IN THE WORLD, Unti- 
ling more Peanuts than all the othqr Cleaners in Virginia comhined. 

WALTERS <5c CO. 

Dffice and Factory, 7 and 9 Atlantic Street, 

NORFOLK, VA. 



TO NORFOLK ANT) POUTSMOl'TH. t^« r ' 



COAL. WOOD AND ICE DEALERS. 



IN addition to the immense amount of coal and wood necessarily con- 
sumed by our own people during the year, a large business is done in 
m these commodities with the shipping in our port, and also with deal- 
ers in the surrounding country. The Norfolk & Western and Chesapeake 
& Ohio Railroads supply the greater part of the demands of this market, 
and the rest is brought from Pennsylvania and Maryland. Except for the 
purposes of steam, the trade becomes dull from the opening of Spring till 
the time arrives for laying in the Winter's supply. A good trade is car- 
ried on during the Winter months in what we might term retail quantities 
with those who are unable to buy more than a ton or so of coal, or a cord 
or two of wood, at a time. During the busy season our coal and wood 
yards are severely taxed to supply their customers. But the principal 
trade is that which is shipped from this port in bulk, and the Norfolk & 
Western Railroad Company has recently erected immense bins at Lam- 
bert's Point and thus made Norfolk harbor the greatest coaling depot 
on the coast. The finest steam coal in the world comes over its line from 
Western Virginia, and can be delivered here at comparatively low prices. 
This improvement is expected to attract numerous coastwise and oeean 
steamships to our waters, and to give a new impetus to our general com- 
mercial interests. 

The wholesale and retail ice business of the two Cities, which, in several 
instances, is conducted by those who deal in fuel, is also very considera- 
ble. Large quantities are shipped to the fisheries of North Carolina, as 
well as to other points south of Norfolk, while the home consumption is 
by no means small during the Summer months. The combined transac- 
tions in these three commodities during the year 1885 amounted to within 
a fraction of $750,000, upon a capital of less than a third of that sum. 



GEO. W. TAYLOR. WICKHAM TAYLOR. 



GEO. W. TAYLOR <fc CO., 

-^DEALERS IN ICE, COAL AND WOOD,:^ 

Offices : 47 Granby St. and Central Wharf, 

NORFOLK, YA. 

YARD AND DOCK CONVENIENT TO SHIPMENT BYJ30AT OR RAIL. 



13C GENERA I, AND COMMERCIAL G-tttt)E 

THOS. J. NOTTINGHAM. WM. A. WRENN. 



M 



n 



'\\ \\\ 



Wholesale and Retail Dealers in 



/f O IinJMTlT 

1 it W IiJUw 



Yards and Branches : Ceneral Office : 

Nottingham & Wrenn's Wharf, Atlantic City .,54 ^am g| un( j er ^lantJC Hotel. 

Norfolk and Western It. V. Depot. '. ' 

Nos 6 and 1 Campbell's Wharf. \ NORFOLK, VA. 

We keep constantly on hand a COMPLETE STOCK of 

Anthracite and Bituminous Coal. 

tS* POCAHONTAS STEAM COAL A SPECIALTY. 

Storage Capacity for 50ftO Tons of lee. 

LOWEST MARKET PRICES guaranteed for Cargo Lots or any 
quantity desired. 



GEO. R. TRANT, PAUL. C. TRUG1EN A. G. HILL, 

Formerly of Trant & Baker. Formerly of A. G. Hill & Co. 

TRANT, TRUGIEN & HILL, 

Dealers in and Shippers of 



•5 





siioa 



VIRGINIA and NORTH CAROLINA LUMBER.. 
Building and /IgricultuFal Lime, 

CEMENT and PLASTER. 

MAY AID GBAJN. 

Office, 327 Water Street. Wharf, foot of Queen Street, 

FOMTSMvOU^iH, ¥A. 

P. O. Box 141. 



TO NORFOLK ANt> PORTSMOUTH. 137 



GROCERIES. 



S IS the case in all mercantile communities, the grocery trade here 
holds an important and influential position, for it is the trade of 
all others which affects all classes in city and country and com- 
mands universal attention. The business transacted in Norfolk and 
Portsmouth during the last year has involved the enormous sum of 
$8,000,000, including the sales effected by the retail establishments. This 
is a great increase of trade as compared with former years, and there is 
every reason to believe that the improvement will continue, for the coun- 
try merchants all over the Eastern districts of Virginia, North and South 
Carolina and Georgia are beginning to realize the important fact that they 
can buy as good articles here as are to be met with in the Northern mar- 
kets, while at the same time they can save money in freights and trans- 
portation expenses by purchasing them nearer home. 

Failures in this branch of trade occur here with gratifying infrequency. 
On the contrary, it is almost entirely in the hands of discreet and experi- 
enced firms whose financial strength is considerable and constantly on the 
increase. 

The stocks of groceries kept on hand are usually of a very extensive and 
varied character, and are augmented by such alien articles as powder, 
shot, buckets, brooms, tubs, rope and other commodities in general use, 
but not strictly belonging to this category. These goods are shipped in 
great quantities to all parts of the Southern seaboard, as well as to the 
villages and hamlets of the interior, and Norfolk and Portsmouth are thus 
kept in intimate communication with their rural neighbors and customers- 
who frequently visit our wholesale establishments to renew their stocks, 
sometimes buying whole car-loads, and sometimes a single box or barrel, 
according to the season of the year and the requirements of their agricul- 
tural constituencies. 

Our excellent transportation facilities by land and water to and from 
every great market of this Continent and Europe have enabled us already 
to build up an immense grocery trade, but there is still plenty of room for 
expansion, and we are among those who believe that Norfolk and Ports- 
mouth will at some not distant day become the great central distributing 
point for all the South-eastern States. To this end we must invite the di- 
rect importation of coffee, fruits and other foreign produce, and discour- 
age the practice sometimes adopted by ships' captains of coming here in 
ballast. 

The approximate amount of capital invested in the grocery trade of 
•.Norfolk and Portsmouth is $1,000,000. 



138 GtfXERAL AKD COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

ESTABLISHED 1865. 



M. L. T. DAVIS & CO., 

Wholesale Dealers in all Kinds of 

IES, PROVISIONS, 

FISH, FLOUR, SALT, &c, 

91!Water, corner Commerce St. 



W. F. ALLEN. ESTABLISHED 1864. J T. BORUM. 



W.F. ALLEN &CO., 

WHOLESALE GROCERS, 

99 Water St. & 18, 22, 26 & 30 Rotef s Lane, 

NORFOLK, VA. 



Flour and Meats a Specialty. 

Special attention given to (Jar Load quantities of 

Molasses, <j» Flour, <j» Meats f and f Salt. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTTMOtTTH. 130 

R. P. VOIGHT. J. M. SPINDLE. W. C. WILLIAMS. 

R. P. VOIGHT & CO., 

Wholesale Grocers, 

90 Water Street and 41 Commerce Street, 



^3 ^ 

LARGE DEALERS IN 



Flour, Meats, Sugars, Coffees, Teas, 

Syrups, Salt, Lard, Mackerel, 

Herring*, 

AND m FACT ALL ARTICLES USUALLY KEPT IN A 



Special inducements offered to Prompt Paying and Cash customers. 

^TOHN Z. LOWE, 

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALER IN 

Fine Family Groceries, Ship Stores, Provisions, 

FINE WINES, LIQUOES, CIGAES, TOBACCO, &c. 
13 and 15 Corner Market Square and 1, 3 and 5 Union Street, 

NORFOLK, VA. 

iW Roasted Coffee and Fine Teas a Specialty. 



G. & R. BARRETT, 

WHOLESALE GROCERS, 

Cor. Water Street and Roanoke Square, Norfolk, Va. 

FLOUR A SPECIALTY. 

J. H. BIGBIE & CO, 

HEW YORK WHOLESALE BUTTER HOUSE 

AND PROVISION DEALERS, 
Nos. 38 and 40 Roanoke Avenue, - - NORFOLK, VA. 



1 4:0 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

Wi, S> OIL WORTH & CO, 

WMOZMSA.LJS 

FLOUR, BUTTER AND CHEESE, 

~LT Roanoke Ave., 

WM. J. DILWORTH. I MnDCAl V W A 

JNO. J. BUttKK. NORFOLK, VA. 

ROB'T. I BOSMAN. I ' 



W. C. KINC, Agent., 

foffee Roaster and Manufacturer of Mustards, Pepper, &c. 

WHOLESALE DEALER IN 

TEAS, COFFEES, WOOD AND WILLOW WARE, CANNED GOODS. 

No. 45 Roanoke Avenue, Norfolk, Va. 
E&- Peanuts and Coffes Roasted for the Trade. 



BAKERIES. 



1| N THE manufacture and sale of such articles as pertain to. establish- 
I ments of this kind, Norfolk and Portsmouth occupy an excellent and 
^JL by no means small territory, and enjoy a trade of the safest and most 
desirable character. We .have in the two Cities several good bakeries, but 
only one as yet that is operated by steam upon a large scale, or whose pro- 
ducts find any considerable demand at distant points. The smaller pro- 
ducers, however, are well sustained by the local retail trade, and the con- 
sumption of their goods is large and general. Our wholesale grocers and 
commission merchants are thelargest handlers of these goods, and very 
rarely offer articles manufactured elsewhere in competition with the staple 
articles of home make. Fancy cakes, crackers, &c, are shipped from here 
over the entire South, and may even be found upon the shelves of many 
stor s in foreign ports. The marine trade in this line is also very large, 
as our goods are known to retain their freshness and flavor even when ex- 
posed to severe atmospheric changes. 




TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 

ESTABLISHED 1856. 



Ill 



NORFOLK STEAM BAKERY 

AND CONFECTIONERY, 




87 Main Street, Norfolk. Va. 

Parties ordering our goods through their Commission Merchants will 
get them at Factory Prices. 
Weddings, Parties and Pic-Nic Orders a Specialty. 



142 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

AGRICULTURE, TRUCKING AND REAL 

ESTATE. 



IfUfHAT "Eeal Estate is the basis of all wealth" is a fact so well under- 
stood that it requires no additional proof, and admits of no success- 
ful contradiction, and this volume would be incomplete unless it 
touched briefly, at least, upon the real estate and agricultural interests of 
this immediate district. It is not practicable, however, within the limited 
space allotted to this topic to enter into an exhaustive discussion of its 
merits. We shall therefore content ourselves with calling attention to a 
few of the more prominent features of the subject. Three conditions are 
essential to the success of the agriculturalist: first, he must have a fairly 
productive soil; second, a favorable climate, and third, a good market. 
With these points in his favor, his success is sure, provided he brings to 
bear a fair amount of energy, capital and skill in pursuing his calling. 
We will now see how this section compares with others as regards the 
three important conditions above mentioned. The North has a fairly 
'•productive soil" and a '-'good market," but lacks the "favorable cli- 
mate." The West has a good soil, but is sadly deficient in both markets 
and climate. While this section of the South has a fairly productive soil, 
a fine market and a favorable climate. Our soil, with intelligent manage- 
ment, backed by our mild and fine climate, can be easily and quickly 
made to produce as abundant crops as the Western lands, while our better 
markets insure much more remunerative returns. 

Our field embraces a circuit, say of 80 miles round the cities of Norfolk 
and Portsmouth, within which may be found several varieties of soil. 
These maybe again divided into two general classes or grades, viz.: a light 
sandy loam, and a darker clay loam, most of which is underlaid with a 
good substantial sub-soil of a clayey nature. On these two varieties of 
soil may be successfully and profitably grown all the fruits, vegetables, 
grasses and grains of the United States, with the exception of a few of the 
semi-tropical fruits. It might be well in this connection to state that our 
land in this field ranges from ten to sixty feet above the level of the sep, 
at mean high water, and is penetrated in hundreds of places by sounds or 
arms of the sea which are not only well supplied with fish, and in many 
instances with oysters, but also afford the means of floating the produce 
of thousands of farms direct to the market or the consumers — the cheap- 
est transportation in the whole world. These arms of the sea also afford 



to Norfolk and Portsmouth. L43 

thorough and efficient drainage. Marl, which is an excellent fertilizer, 
underlies much of our soil, and is used extensively by our farmers and 
truckers. Our trucking interests are very large, although chiefly confined 
to a radius of about fifteen or twenty miles round the cities of Norfolk 
and Portsmouth, from which field is annually shipped nearly $3,000,000 
worth of produce. Our soil is well adapted to this business, and our ship- 
ping facilities are such that the products are laid down in New York in 
about 22 hours after leaving our wharves. Immense quantities of early 
fruit and vegetables are shipped to Northern cities by steamer, and to the 
principal Western cities in refrigerator cars. Our geographical location 
is such as to give us special advantages in the shipping business and to 
insure us cheap freights— a point worthy the attention of every one seek- 
ing a home. This trucking business affords employment to thousands of 
men, women and children, to whom are paid large sums of money daily. 
This money finds its way to the retail and wholesale dealers ; then to the 
importers and manufacturers at the North, East and West, from whom it 
returns to us in due course in payment for the shipments of produce made 
to these points. Here it is again distributed and gathered up as before; 
thus keeping up a steady volume of trade throughout the entire year. The 
profits of the trucking business vary, of course, with the season, the soil 
and the farmer. Instances are frequent of very large net cash returns- 
say $200 to $400 per acre. This is, however, exceptional, but within our 
own knowledge one man from thirteen acres has fed, clothed and educated 
a family of seven children, bought for one of his sons a farm for $5,000, 
for another a farm for $3,000, has $2,500 lent out on security, and a suffi- 
cient bank deposit for the " rainy day." The man who has accomplished 
these results can neither read nor write, and land that he bought a few 
years ago for an insignificant price now commands $200 per acre, and is 
rapidly advancing in value. The tendency of real estate in price is stead- 
ily upward, and will not halt until our lands rate as well as those lying 
equally distant from New York, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia. Our 
light soil will grow oats, com, rye, &c, and outside the trucking belt 
proper is found a heavier clay loam, which is excellent corn, grass and 
wheat land. The average price of our wheat and corn land is about $15 
per acre, and of our more valuable trucking land lying near the city about 
$40 per acre. The average price of wheat throughout the year is $1, corn 
50 cents, oats 45 cents per bushel, and hay $20 per ton. All these crops 
can be successfully and profitably grown upon our soil, and are in demand 
here m excess of the supply. A fair average yield of corn is 25 bushels 
(shelled) to the acre, of oats 35 bushels, of wheat 15 bushels, and of hay 
1 J to 2 tons. These yields are without fertilizers or manures of any kind. 
A thorough system of culture, with liberal use of manure and a rotation 
of crops, will double the above yields. Our soil is susceptible of the 
highest culture, is easily worked Summer and Winter, is all productive 



144 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GtJIDE 

when cleared of timber, and has never been exhausted, as are the old cot- 
ton and tobacco lands of the interior. 

Our geographical position exempts us from the extremes of Northern 
cold and Southern heat, and this favorable situation is supplemented by 
the influence of the Gulf Stream, which flows close to our shores. The 
temperature of this current being nearly uniform throughout the year, 
our thermometers rarely register above 95° in Summer or below 20° in 
Winter. This happy combination of circumstances gives us long growing- 
seasons free from frosts, the practical result to the agriculturalist being- 
two crops during the same year from the same land. Corn may be planted 
in April, May and June, and it all reaches full maturity untouched by 
frosts, and for this reason brings from 3 to 5 cents more per bushel in 
New York than any raised where the growing season is just a little too 
short at both ends. The mildness of the climate also allows stock to run 
out nearly all Winter without extra feed or shelter. Thousands of people 
visit this section each Winter to avoid the Northern cold, and many come 
here for the refreshing, invigorating sea breezes of Summer. 

Besides having one of the finest and largest local markets to be found in 
the whole country, we are called upon to supply New York, Boston, Prov- 
idence, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and other Eastern cities with 
early fruits and vegetables, which we also transport largely to the Western 
cities, even as far as San Francisco, in refrigerator cars. Our surplus is 
always in demand, and prices are usually high. 

Our peanut crop, for which this port is especially noted, finds its way 
to all Northern, Eastern and Western cities. This trade is assuming mam- 
moth proportions, not less than 2,000,000 bushels being annually handled 
in Norfolk alone. We enjoy many valuable means of transportation by 
rail and water, by which immense amounts of produce find their way to 
this market where they are quickly and cheaply transferred to steamers 
waiting to receive them and are cheaply transported to and laid down in 
Northern markets fresh and sweet. The steady tendency of real estate is 
upward and there is no investment so sure of yielding a safe and profita- 
ble return. 

We can now safely and fairly claim to be the " Garden of the South." 
What we need is more general farming, more oats, corn, hay, wheat and 
rye; more pigs, chickens, cattle and sheep. A little deeper ploughing, a 
little higher cultivation, broader views, better stock and implements and 
about a thousand good men with a fair amount of capital, energy and skill, 
to develope some of our idle lands which may now be had at very mod- 
erate prices, and which are infinitely more valuable than those of the 
interior on account of their productiveness, their proximity to market 
and the geniality of the climate which is unexcelled in, the United States. 



tO NORFOLK AND POKTTMOUTH. 



L4fi 



E. C. LINDSEY. 



A. JEPFEHS. 



E.G. LINDSEY & CO., 

12* Main Street, Norfolk, Va. 

DEALERS IN 



REAL ESTATE. 




We are prepared to lay before our customers a list of hundreds of farms of 
all sizes and prices, varying in size from 4 acres to 20,000 acres, and in prices from 
$10 per acre to $200. These lands, when due allowance is made for our many nat- 
ural and acquired advantages, are the cheapest lands in the United States. Dollars 
and cents are not the only things to be considered in selecting a home. There is 
such a thing as climate, and hundreds of thousands of people at the North and 
West are just beginning to find it out. The cold and unfriendly Northern Win- 
ters are convincing thousands of the advisability of securing homes in a milder 
climate. 

Catarrh, asthma, consumption and other kindred diseases, incidental to the 
Northern latitudes, are driving many South. This section offers a happy com- 
promise between the Southern extreme of heat and the Northern extreme of 
cold — half \va} r between Canada and Florida. Our produce reaches New York in 
22 hours by steamer, and in 12 hours by a combined rail and steamboat route, 
without being exposed to the delays and dangers of " Stormy Hatteras *' Our 
freights a- e cheap to all Northern points. Our roads are excellent, our soil fairly 
productive, our markets the best in the United States. Our land in vicinity of 
Norfolk is elevated from 10 to 80 feet above the sea level, is all underlaid with a 
good substantial clay sub-soil, and with fair ordinary care and skill can be made 
the most productive in the United States. Our growing season is long— 8 months 
and sometimes 9 without frost sufficiently heavy to do damage. Enclose stamp 
for circulars and further particulars, and come and see before purchasing else- 
where. We make Real Estate our specialty, keep several teams constantly on the 
road, and take pleasure in showing our many advantage s to parties desiring to 
invest, without any expense to them. We are just getting at considerable ex- 
pense a map of Norfolk and surrounding country, which we can furnish at 20 
cents each in postage stamps. Yours truly, 



E. C. LINDSEY & CO. 



P. S. — Farming Lands Our Specialty. 



146 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL ntrtDfc 



FURNITURE, CHINA, GLASSWARE, &c. 



TfHE trade in these articles has assumed very great importance of late 
years, and there are very few cities south of Philadelphia that can 
boast of as handsome warerooms and as large assortments of stock 
as can be found in these two Cities. Every conceivable article of house- 
hold furniture can be purchased here at factory prices, and the variety in 
design, material, quality and price is simply endless. Every taste and 
every pocket can be suited, whether the article sought be intended for the 
parlor, drawing room, chamber, office or school. There are several liberal 
and enterprising firms engaged in this business in Norfolk and Ports- 
mouth, and they can afford to sell their goods at reasonable figures, for 
the reason that they make their purchases at the manufactories and obtain 
the most favorable rates. 

Carpets of every description, from the ordinary floor-covering of domes- 
tic make to the costly products of the European and Oriental looms, are 
to be seen here in rich profusion, together with mats, rugs, oilcloths, mat- 
tings and other kindred wares. China, crockery, glassware, lamps and a 
host of other commodities, which we have no space to enumerate, are 
affiliated to this branch of trade and are kept here in large quantities. 

Pianos and organs from the most famous factories in the world find an 
excellent market here, and the most absolute guarantee is given with each 
instrument sold. 

North Carolina and Eastern Virginia find this a most advantageous 
market at which to make their selections, and each succeeding year brings 
increased business to our dealers. There are still a few of our people who 
refuse to acknowledge excellence unless they import it direct from some 
distant market, but experience has taught the great majority of consumers 
that it is more, economical, as well as infinitely more satisfactory, to deal 
with merchants whom they know personally and meet every day, reliable 
and responsible business men, whose reputations are without reproach and 
who are always accessible when, through some accident or unsuspected 
defect, a guarantee may have to be made good. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



147 



J. 8. AMES. S. S. STEVENS 

AMES Ac STEVENS. 

Successors to S. A. STEV BNS & CO. 

CORNER MAIN AND GRANBY STREETS, 

Furniture, Carpeting, Pianos, Organs, 

CHINA AND GLASS. 




Largest and Most Complete Stock in Virginia. 
Selling at Wholesale and Retail. 

£^**Our prices are guaranteed as low as in New York or Baltimore. „J£3 

AMES & STEVENS. 



14* 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



FARREL & HERRING'S 

CHAMPION SAFE. 

The Best Sale in the World. 

Free from Rust, Mould and Dampness- 



PRIZE MEDALS AWAHDE J. 



o 
o 

•i— • 

CO 

o 







© 

co* 
SB 



CD 
O 



EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE, PARIS. 

Two Medals and Diploma Awarded at Centennial, 1876. 



ipttii : mm tiiiiiii it nit 

PHILADELPHIA. 
PRINCIPAL SALESROOM AND ADDRESS, 

m mm ri L & eo„ 



631 Chestnut Street, 



Philadelphia. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 14'.» 

218 AND 220 MAIN STREET, NORFOLK, VA. 

OPPOSITE THE PURCELL HOUSE.) 
Manufacturer of 

^F" XJ Ft WT I TURE^ 



AND DEALER IN 



^BALTIMORE AND NEW YORK PRICES DUPLICATED. 




JfflE PERFECTED CpIGWft 

The Best and Cheapest Type- Writer in Existence. 
Beautiful and Strong. 

Write to the undersigned for particulars. Copying and Reporting done 
in the neatest and most correct manner, upon reasonable terms. 

KENTON C. MURRAY, 

NORFOLK, VA., 

Reporter, Type-Writer, Copyist and Teacher. 



W. H. HUGHES^ 

DEALER IN 

CHINA, CROCKERY, GLASSWARE, LAMPS, LANTERNS, TABLE CUTLERY, 
Oil* STOVES! 

AND A GENERAL LINE OF 

House- Furnishing Goods. 

303 HIGH STREET, PORTSMOUTH, TA. 
ELAINE OIL A SPECIALTY. 



150 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

'111 




UNDERTAKERS AND EMBALMERS, 

No. 86 BANK STREET, 

NORFOLK, VA. 

All work executed in first-class style and on the shortest notice. Open 
day and night. All orders by Telegraph promptly attended to. 
Connected by Telephone, Call 316. 



D. V. GASKINS, 

Residence, 714 Washington St. 



CHAS. H. STURTEVANT, 

Residence. 308 Third St. 



GASKINS & STURTEVANT, 

jikr 




No. S 1 Middle Street, 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 

SEEDSMEN. 



151 



#feURROUNDEI) as we are by an immense tracking area, it is not to 
%jk be wondered at that the seed trade has grown and prospered until 
So it has reached its present imposing proportions. Sales are not made 
exclusively to truckers, however, for large quantities are consigned to al- 
most all parts of the United States where the soil is suited to the cultiva- 
tion of vegetables indigenous to this climate. The seedsmen of Norfolk 
ate particularly careful to insure to the seed the highest condition of vi- 
tality and make it their special aim to produce only such seed as will be best 
adapted to the soil and climate in which they are intended to propagate. 
The business has here been conducted upon such correct principles that 
large orders from distant points keep our seedsmen constantly employed. 
To build up and retain the trade of our own truckers from year to year 
requires the utmost integrity and activity on the part of the dealer, for a 
single failure would shake the confidence of a whole district in the purity 
and reliability of his goods, and would inflict almost irreparable injury 
upon his business. He must also have a practical knowledge of planting, 
cultivating, gathering and handling, or success will be difficult, if not 
impossible, of achievement. It is gratifying to know that all these quali- 
fications are possessed in a conspicuous degree by Norfolk's seedsmen. 




-Helm porters, Growers and Dealers,^ 

No. 7 MARKET SQUARE, NORFOLK, YA. 

Offer to Truckers, Farmers and Private Families, a complete assortment of 

Field, Garden and Flower feed's 

which their long experience warrants them in saying will be found unsurpassed 

as to purity and germinating qualities, and perfectly adapted for 

profitable Southern cultivation. 

^-CATALOGUES ON APPLICATION. 




-A.T- 



No. 46 ROANOKE AVENUE, 



NORFOLK, VA. 



152 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

RAILROAD AND STEAMBOAT SUPPLIES, 
STOVES, HARDWARE, TINWARE, ETC. 



IN every business centre, especially if it be also an important sea-port, 
the trade in the numerous indispensable articles embraced in the 
m above caption must necessarily hold foremost rank. In Norfolk and 
Portsmouth it is conducted by practical and energetic men who recognize 
its great influence, not only upon the commercial interests of the cities 
themselves, but also upon the wide surrounding territory, with its various 
mechanical industries and general requirements. The port of Norfolk is 
naturally the central point of large railroad, steamboat, milling and other 
manufacturing interests, and controls an immense business in the com- 
modities now under consideration. The time was when a trifling acci- 
dent to its machinery would necessitate the stoppage of a mill or factory 
for an indefinite period, and impose great inconvenience and loss upon its 
owner ; but this state of things has been entirely done away 
with, and any want can now be supplied, or any defect repaired by skilled 
hands without the expense and delay incidental to the old regime. Mill 
and Machinists' supplies of all descriptions are furnished from this point 
to the innumerable mills and factories of this immediate neighborhood, as 
well as to those of the adjoining States ; while, in the matter of Stoves, 
Ranges, and other articles expressed by the generic terms " hardware" 
and "tinware," our dealers have long since established themselves so firmly 
in the public confidence throughout this whole section that rivalry or 
competition from other points have gradually lost their terrors and are 
now almost unknown. 



TO NOEFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



153 




Gum and Leather Belting, 

BAW MILL, 
Steamboat & IRailroab Supplies, 



Sheet Gum, 
Lard Oil, 
Kerosene Oil, 
Signal Oil, 
Sperm Oil. 
Cylinder Oil, 
Fish Oil, 
Jute Packing, 
Cotton Packing, 
Brass Tubing, 
Safety Valves, 
Water Gauges, 
Steam Gauges, 
Steam Whistles, 

Bolts, Nuts and Washers, 
Galvanized Boat Spikes, 
Hand and Force Pumps, 
Iron Valves and Cocks, 
Brass Valves and Cocks, 
Taps, Reamers and Drills, 
Steam and Hand Pumps, 
Expansion Joints. 
Combination Columns, 
Golden Machinery Oil, 
Lubricators and Oil Cups, 
Usidurian Packing, 
Soap Stone Packing. 
Asbestos Packing, 



Tallow, 

Waste. 

Nails, 

Files. 

Lanterns, 

Bellows, 

Axes, 

Forges, 

Anvils, 

Sledges, 

Chains, 

Anchors, 

Coil Heaters, 

Tackle Blocks, 



Steam Hose, 
Water Hose, 
Boat Spikes, 
Lace Leather, 
Swage Sets, 
Emery Sets, 
Grindstones, 
Crowbars, 
Cant Hooks, 
Gauge Cocks, 
Air Cocks, 
Pipe Tongs, 
Pipe Wrenches, 
Pipe Vices, 



Wickersham Packing, 
Italian Hemp Packing, 
American Hemp Packing, 
Scotch Glass Tubes, 
Boiler Tube Cleaners, 
Stock and Dies 
Damper Regulaters, 
Heavy Pipe for Drive Wells, 
Inspirators or Boiler Feeders, 
Manilla Rope and Spun Yarn, 
Cast Iron Water and Gas Pipes, 
Straightway Valves and Hydrants, 
Tucks Packing. Round cind Square, 
West Virginia Lubricating Oil, 



Lap Welded Charcoal Iron Boiler Tubes, Cast Iron Fittings for Wrought Iron 

Pipe. Wrought Iron Pipe for Steam, Water and Gas, Malleable Iron 

Fittings for Wrought Iron Pipe, Power Hand Machines 

for Cutting and Threading, «fcc, &c, &c. 

4 and <> West Market Square, and 118 Water Street, 

Norfolk, Virginia. 



154 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

1VEAFF dfc OO., 

Manufacturers of and Dealers in 

Plain, Japanned & Stamped 
TINWARE, 



Ifes, flanges, jpatefi^ 

HOUSE PUBH1SHTO GOODS, 

Metallic Roofing, Guttering & Spouting 

OFFICE AND SALESROOM, 89 MAIN ST. 

Factory, Water and Nlvison Streets, 
NORFOLK, VA. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



155 



CITY HALL STOVE HOUSE, 

(>4 Bank Street, Opposite Cove, 

Manufacturers and Dealers in 

Stoves, Furnaces, Rangos and Fireplace Heaters, Metallic 
Roofing, Glittering, Spouting, Galv. Iron Cornice and 
Ventilating, Tinware and Lamp Goods. 

Repairs furnished for any Stove made in the United States. Plumbing, Steam 
and Gas Fating. Agents for Sexton's "Grand" and Barstow's " Crystal " Fire" 
place Heaters: also the Happy Cook Range. Job work in all the above branches 
promptly executed. 

HOWARD & ODEND'HAL. 



HOLMES & WEAVER, 

^Successor to S. W. WEAVER & CO), 
Manufacturers and Dealers in 

Cooking and Heating Stoves, Architectural Sheet Metal Work, Ranges 

Fire-place Heaters, &c, Tin, Copper, Sheet Iron and Japanned 

Ware, Lamps, Lanterns, House Furnishing Goods, Roofing, 

Guttering, Repairing, Plumbing, Jobbing, &c. 

116 Water Street, - - - NORFOLK, YA. 




Guns, Revolvers, Fishing Tackle, Base-Ball 

AND SPORTING GOODS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION, 

108 High Street, 
Gun Repairing a Specialty. • PoRTSMOUTH,VA. 



156 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



/OTATR 



:giki 



CARTER R. BISHOP 1 CO., 



MANUFACTURERS OF 



BURLAP ® COTTON 



-^"q\S 



1 4 







m /MSS§S>- 



-. ■ 




m 




— ) FOR (- 

Peanuts, Fertilizers, Grain, Flour, Meal, Sumac, Etc. 

PLAIN OR PRINTED. 
Headquarters for Sacks,Bags and Bag Twine. 



OUR FACTORY IS RUN BY STEAM, AND HAVING RECENT- 
LY DOUBLED OUR CAPACITY, WE ARE NOW PRE- 
PARED TO EXECUTE ALL ORDERS WITH 
NEATNESS AND DISPATCH. 



OUR LARGE AND RAPIDLY GROWING TRADE 

DEMONSTRATES THAT OUR GOODS ARE 

AS WE REPRESENT THEE AND OUR 

PRIi ES MODERATE, 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 157 

BOOKS, STATIONERY AND PAPER. 



fi HE quality and quantity of reading matter in circulation among the 
people of any community will be found a very accurate test of their 
intellectual capacity and refinement. Where there are well patron- 
ized public or circulating libraries, many and notarising book stores car- 
rying large and well selected assortments of standard literature, there will 
also most certainly be found a large proportion of cultivated and well in- 
formed readers. And this may justly be claimed by Norfolk and Ports- 
mouth where the book business has been successfully conducted by men 
whose own high education and mental culture eminently qualify them to 
cater to the intellectual requirements of their neighbors. We have several 
handsome and well stocked book and stationery stores where all commodi- 
ties usually kept by first-class establishments of the kind are to be found 
in great abundance and endless variety, including choice selections of 
paintings, engravings and photographs, stereoscopes and a host of other 
articles which may be grouped under the generic term, " fancy." These 
stores are all doing an excellent business and are sources of much enjoy- 
ment to our appreciative citizens as well as to the visitors with whom our 
hotels are always filled. 



ROBERT JOHNSTON, 

WHOLESALE DEALER IN 

<^A11 Kinds of Paper and Stationery.^ 

INKS AND ENVELOPES A SPECIALTY. 

43 ROANOKE AVENUE. - - NORFOLK, VA. 

E. G. HUME & BEO., 

224 High St., Portsmouth, Va. 

Books, Stationery, 

PIANOS AND ORGANS. 

WE SELZ A T 2 HE LO WES / /'A'/r/;s. 

JtlP Merchants' orders filled at New York wholesale prices. 
m~ Address all orders 224 HIGH St., PORTSMOUTH, Va. 



158 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



# i3J 



\ i\ 



H" [7 IP' 



All the Leading School and College Text Books, 

COUNTING HOUSE AND SCHOOL 



A*»C1^ 



^ Hi 






BL^JNK BOOK J^jAJNUf^CJU^fl^S, 

LPfflOGl^PjnjVIG flJ^D Pl^IJVITIjVG, 

Card and Wedding Invitations Engraved to Order. Fancy Goods of 
every Description, in Russia, Plush and Leather (roods. 




BEST NOW MADE AT FACTORY PRICES. 

Hume & Parker, 

Booksellers and Stationers, 



DEALERS IN 



Fancy Goods, Pianos and Organs, 

104 MAIN STREET, NORFOLK, VA. 



Spoci&l Att&Mti&st to Jtmfelfaimg*. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTTMO UT1I. 



159 



5*> 

o 

m so 



3-03" 

> t> c ^ c 2-3-* 1 

21 p o-h —. - 

- t^ 3 3 3 ^ 

■K W*3 i ~ Old 

EST ga^O 

I r 



P.O. a 




BUILDERS' MATERIALS. 

^r great has been the progress in this department of our trade that 
^k many of the comparatively humble and cheap dwelling houses 
Ijjp built in Norfolk and Portsmouth during the past few years surpass 
in durability, comfort and elegance the costlier mansions of former times 
While the character of these buildings has improved, the cost of building 
has considerably decreased. The quality of the bricks manufactured in 
this neighborhood is good, although our yards are as yet only turning out 
rough work, and the fine pressed bricks are still imported from Philadel- 
phia and Baltimore. Our dealers in building material occupy extensive 
warehouses, and their stocks of Finishing Limes, Cement, Plaster, Laths, 
Cornice, Paving and Building Bricks, etc., are large. Surrounded by saw- 
mills, this is an excellent market for Sash, Doors, Blinds, Mouldings, 
Brackets, etc., and millions of feet of excellent building lumber of home 
manufacture find ready sale here at low figures. Contractors find the 
supply of regular goods abundant and there is every facility at the mills 
in the neighborhood for the prompt and satisfactory execution of their 
orders. 



100 and 102 Water Street, Norfolk, Va„ 

RECEIVERS AND SHIPPERS OF ALL KINDS OF 

BUILDING AND FINISHING LIMES, 

SHELL LIMES, CEMENTS OF ALL KINDS, 

Plaster, Laths, Pipe Clay, Bricks, Slates, Tar, &c. 

Sfeg- Special Rates in Freights and Prices for Wholesale Lots. 



lfiO GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



WINES, LIQUORS, TOBACCO, CIGARS, ETC. 



T no period has the trade in these articles seen better days in Nor- 
||j! folk aud Portsmouth than the present. While a few years ago 
only a limited business was done in a limited field, to-day our 
dealers make consignments to the far South and South-west, and even in 
the Northern States some of their brands are in steady demand. Our 
principal markets are in Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia ; but our 
territory is rapidly widening as our enterprising dealers engage in compe- 
tition with those of other cities. There are no important tobacco facto- 
ries at this point, but we are closely allied to the producing and manufac- 
turing districts, and handle so much of this great staple product of our 
State and North Carolina, that our commercial interests are perceptibly 
influenced by the success or failure of this crop. Nearly all the factories 
in these two States are represented by agents in Norfolk, and large quan- 
tities are purchased by our cigar manufacturers and dealers. In many 
cases the Liquor and Tobacco trades are combined, for which reason we 
find it expedient to review them under one heading. The wholesale and 
retail business in Wines, Liquors, Cigars, Tobacco and Cigarettes, during 
the last few years, has reached the average sum of three and a half millions 
of dollars annually, divided almost equally between the " liquids " and the 
"solids." This estimate includes lager beer, ale and other fermented bev- 
erages, which have come into very general use of late. We have many 
attraclive retail stores and "gardens" where large and varied, stocks of 
goods are kept — goods of every clime and quality — from which the thirsty 
and weary may select his refreshment according to the dictates of his 
palate. Light clarets and other pure wines of domestic manufacture are 
also becoming very popular, and the habits of our people, so far as their 
drinking is concerned, are gradually conforming to those of our Teutonic 
cousins, many of whom are among our most highly respected fellow citi- 
zens. Cigars are manufactured here on a somewhat extensive scale, while 
the famous factories of Virginia and North Carolina keep us well supplied 
with the most popular varieties of smoking and chewing tobacco and 
cigarettes. Some of these days we hope to see our own factories competing 
for the extensive foreign trad? which is now to a great extent supplied 
through, instead of from this Port. 



TO NORFOLK AN!) PORTSMOUTH. 161 



fc P 




PHILADELPHIA, PA. 

GRAND REFRIGERATOR DEPOT for the STORING and DE- 
LIVERY of LAGER BEER, ALE, TORTER and STOUT to the 
TRADE of Norfolk, Portsmouth and vicinity, also chief distributing 
point for Eastern Virginia and Eastern and Central North Carolina. 

Orders respectfully solicited and carefully and promptly executed, di- 
rect from the Icehouse. 

THE BERNER k ENGEL BREWING COMPANY, 

NORFOLK DEPOT flflD OFFCE: 

Madison Street, near Clyde Line Wharves, 

F. W. ADAMS. Manager. 

~wTfT ALLEN & IonT 

WHOLESALE 







97 WATER STREET, 

NORFOLK, VA. 



Fine Whiskies, Rum, Gin and Brandies. 

SOLE AGENTS FOE 

Saratoga Ymhj Water. . 

Orders Filled at Bottlers' Prices. Correspondence solicited. 



162 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



J. & E. MAHONEY, 

Wholesale Liquor Dealers, 

PORTSMOUTH, YA. 

CERTIFICATE OF STATE ASSAYER : 

I have made a careful chemical examination of samples of L \KE DRUM 
MOND RYE WHISKEY, selected from the stock of Messrs. J. & E Mahonev. 
Portsmouth, Va., and representing the products of different years, and find them 
free from adulterations and impurities. I can, therefore, commend this Whiskey 
for use as a medicinal agent or beverage. WM. H. TAY^LOR, M. D., 

State Chemist. 



ESTABLISHED IIV 1S75. 

JOHN McHUGH & CO., 

Rectifiers and Wholesale Liquor Dealers, 

Nos. 94 Water and 23 Elizabeth St., Norfolk, Va. 

ANDREW J. DALTON, 
125 Main Street, NORFOLK, VA., 

Will take pleasure in supplying you with everything in his line. 

WINES, BRANDIES, GINS, WHISKIES, AND LIQUORS OF ALL 
KINDS IN LARGE OR SMALL QUANTITIES. 



BAR + AND * BILLIARD 4- ROOM. 

IMPORTED AND DOMESTIC WINES. LIQUORS AND CIGARS. 
^"MONTICELLO WHISKEY 7 of 1880. 
EGif~ Brunswick-Balke Collender Company's Billiard Tables. 



Sill 4- i41til f 



No. 60 Roanoke Avenue, Norfolk, Va. 

HARRY SALE, Proprietor. 

LtiiioIi Xfcoom. 



TO NOIiFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 

B. F. BAXTER Ac CO., 

Wholesale Dealers in Tobacco and Manufacturers of 



163 



♦♦KITE OXaAJK8,** 

Cor. Avenue I) and 10th Sts., New York. 

SOUTHERN DISTRIBUTING AGENCY, No. 76 WATER ST., NORFOLK. VA 

D. W. TODD, Jr., & CO., 

Wholesale Liquors, Tobacco, Cigars and Snuff, 

113 AND 115 WATER STREET, NORFOLK, VA. 



ESTABLISHED 1867 



/( 



Manufacturers of and Dealers in All Kinds of 



Cigars, Tobacco aad 3P£pe 

182 Main Street, Norfolk. Va. 



Dixie Shirts, Acme Drawers, 

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. 

We employ the most 
EXPERIENCED CUTTERS 





SKILLED OPERATORS, 

and use the most improved steam 
machinery in our factory. 

Write for printed blanks for 
self-measurement. 



ORDERS SOLICITED. ^ 

H. T. MILLER & CO., 

Cor. 9th and Main Sts., Richmond, Va. 



164 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GtJIDE 




BBaiBblatem 



>THEv^- 

EllOjffal! 






BRAMBLETON AVE., 

NORFOLK, VA. 

Weddings, Funerals. Dinner Parties, and all Public Occa- 
sions promptly supplied with choice Flowers, made up in 
beautiful designs as ordered. 10.000 Choice Roses. 

Flowers or PI mts delivered to the Express Company se- 
curely packed Orders bv mail or Telephone No. 161. 

Orders left at our City Office, No. HO Main Street, (Weed's 
Jewelry Store) will be telephoned and have prompt attention. 

BENJ. REYNOLDS, 

Superintendent: 



MANUFACTURERS OF 




FINE CARRIAGES, BUGGIES AND HARNESS. 



14-16, 24 And 2G UNION St., NORFOLK, Va. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



165 



DRY GOODS AND NOTIONS- 



ffHE Wholesale branch of this trade is one of the largest contributors 
to the general advancement of our market, and each season seems 
to add to its importance and strength. It is in the hands of men 
who have been thoroughly educated to the special requirements of their 
difficult calling, and who have won success through the exercise of well 
trained judgment and long practical experience in the business. Their 
stocks embrace all classes of goods, from the lowest grade of American 
to the finest Foreign fabrics ; their warehouses are capacious and their 
capital necessarily large — thus rendering Norfolk superior to most South- 
ern cities as a point of supply for Southern markets. 




U 



V 





WHOLESALE 





NO, 108 MAIN STREET, 



JTO^FeiiK, Yfl. 



MANUFACTURERS OF SHIRTS, DRAWERS, &c. 

J. W. HUNTER & CO., 
40, 42 and 44 Commerce Street, Norfolk, Va. 



166 



GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 



Established 1857 



W. H. OLIVER & SON, 

Sail Makers 

AWNINGS, 

Tents & Flags 

Nos. 1 and 2 

mtulm Campbell's Wharf 

i.^; '-i, OVER 

Baker's Wrecking 

COMPANY. 
NORFOLK, VA. 

Old Sails bought and sold. 

Canvas furnished at 
Factory Prices. 




FENTRESS & O'BRIEN, 

^Fresco, Ornamental and Plain Painters.*- 



No. 



-( DEALERS IN ) — 

WAZZ TjLTEK, iriADOW SHADE*, d-c, 

9 Bank Street, . - NORFOLK, VA 



AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. 



f?HIS important branch of our trade is in the hands of practical and 
experienced men, who are thoroughly familiar with its require- 
ments, and many of the latest improvements in labor-saving agri- 
cultural machinery owe their origin to our local inventive genius. A very 
large capital is engaged in this business within the limits of the Twin 
Cities, and the products of our foundries are largely employed all over the 
South-eastern States, especially in Eastern Virginia, the Carolinas and 
Georgia. By judicious foresight and unremitting energy the trade has 
been put upon a firm basis, and is daily enlarging its field of operations. 
Planters and farmers are not slow to appreciate any valuable improvement 
in machinery, and are at all times ready to adopt new and advanced ideas 
when presented to them in the form of implements peculiarly adapted to 
the cultivation of special crops ; and on almost every farm within the ter- 
ritory which geographically belongs to this distributing point may be 
found the latest designs in cotton gins, plows, cultivators, drills, reapers, 
mowers, &c; in fact, everything calculated to make agricultural life pleas- 
ant and remunerative. Well-established brands of farming implements 
find ready purchasers at established prices, and the planters throughout 
this and the adjoining States may rely upon being suited here with all 
they" may require in this line and on such terms as should render compe- 
tition unprofitable, if not impossible. 



R. WHITE. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 



HOUSE ESTABLISHED IN 1831. 



167 

L. R. WHITE. 



S- fi WHITE & BRLU 

Agricultural Implement Manufactory and Machine Shops. 

OFFICE AND WAREHOUSE : 96 and 98 Water, and 25, 27, 
29 and 31 Elizabeth Streets. FOUNDRY AND WORKS : 

222 to 244 Water Street, 

NORFOLK, VA. 

Steam Engines, Saw Mills, Grist Mills, Shafting, Pulleys and Hangers, Cotton 
Gins, Cotton Presses, Corn and Cotton Planters, Corn Shellers, Threshers and 
Separators, Horse Powers, Fan Mills, Cider Mills, Plows, Harrows, Cultivators, 
Seed Drills and all kinds of Farming Tools and Machinery of the most approved 
patterns. 

WHITE'S CLIPPER PLOW was award- 
ed the First Premium on both One and Two 
Horse Plows in the FIELD TRIAL held at 
North Carolina State Fair October, 1880, in 
competition with TWELVE of the leading 
Plows in use in the South. 




Patentees and Sole Manufacturers of the Celebrated Stonewall Cotton 
Gins. Feeders and Condensers, Atlas, Clipper, White's Chilled, White's Combined 
and Daisy Turning Plows, White's Combined, Stonewall and Carolina Cotton 
Plows. 

If We have the largest and best appointed Agricultural Implement and Ma- 
chine Foundry in the East, or South, and use nothing but the best brands of 
Virginia Pig Iron, from which is produced the best finished, best wearing and 
strongest Plow Casting yet offered, at prices as low or lower than is charged for 
inferior quality. We have a full line of patterns for a majority of the leading 
Plows used in Virginia and the South, and can furnish Castings from same at 
short notice. We have a full corps of experienced pattern makers and can make 
patterns for any kind of Castings and furnish same with dispatch. 

Catalogues Mailed on Amplication. 



168 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

ESTABLISHED 1829. 

H. M. SMITH & CO., 

MANUFACTURERS OF 

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS, 

1532 Main St., Richmond. 



SOLICIT ORDERS FOR 

Portable Steam Engines, Farm and. Saw 

Mills, and. 





OF THE BEST 




SOLE AGENTS FOR THE 

DEDERICK HAY AND COTTON RESSES 

PATENTEES OF THE 

Richmond Thresher and Gleaner, 

Introduced seven years since; has made an admirable record. More than one 
thousand have been sold, and every purchaser has given it the most unqualified 
approval. . 

It is the most convenient, portable and best made Thresher and Cleaner now in 
use. It threshes rapidly and cleans more perfectly than any other pattern. De- 
scriptive ciroulars sent on application. 

We have constantly in stock the largest assortment of Agricultural Implements 
to be found in the. Southern States, and all especially adapted for the work of this 
section of the country. 

In addition to our own work, we are the general agents for 

GEISER'S PATENT SELF-REGULATING 

Grain Separator, Cleaner and Bagger, 

WELL KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. 

The Champion Reaper and Mower, 

Champion and Deering Twine Binders. 

And all the leading Implements in the South. We handle none but the beet, and 
guarantee satisfaction. We are the General Agents of Washburn & Moen for the 
best Barbed Wire made in this country— 2 Barbs. 4 Barbs, Plain, Galvanized and 
Japanned. 

N. B.— 200 page Catalogue for 1880 is now ready, and wdl be sent free to all 
who intend purchasing goods in our line. Address 

H. M. SMITH & CO., 

I*. O. Hox 8. Ri oil m oiid, v». 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 169 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



IN the preceding pages, special attention has been directed, under dis- 
tinctive headings, to many of the principal branches of trade which 
m engage the manufacturing, industrial and mercantile classes of Nor- 
folk and Portsmouth, and it must be admitted that not only does the 
present condition of their affairs make a most creditable showing, but 
also that their existing advantages are in a fair way to be considerably 
augmented, and that their future is rich in promises of continually in- 
creasing prosperity — promises which will certainly be redeemed, provided 
the people remain faithful to themselves and to their traditions. Besides 
the more prominent subjects already reviewed, there are others, too num- 
erous for separate classification, and yet too productive of good in their 
combined influence upon the community to justify their being passed by 
without mention. These include what may be described as the ordinary 
trades to be found, in a more or less flourishing state of existence, in ev- 
ery town of even moderate dimensions, and we may safely state that in 
our own cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, they maintain a uniformly 
healthy and prosperous condition. The windows and show cases of our 
Dry Goods and Fancy Goods establishments, Clothiers, Milliners, Jewel- 
ers, Confectioners, Druggists, Boot and Shoe Merchants present a most 
attractive assortment of the commodities peculiar to their several branches 
of business, while Florists, Tent and Sail Makers and dealers in Carriages, 
Harness, &c, carry large and well selected stocks, which compare favora- 
bly with those of any other sea-port or commercial centre in the country. 
In short, there is no spot on the earth's surface where the necessaries, 
oomforts and luxuries of life, in all conceivable forms, are more abund- 
ant and more easily obtainable, than they are in Norfolk and Portsmouth, 
and if those who have been accustomed to send to Northern cities for 
their supplies, will only give this market a fair trial, they will certainly 
have no cause to regret the experiment, which will no doubt result in se- 
curing their permanent patronage for our " Home Trade." 




170 GEKfiRAL AKD COMMERCIAL GtTIDE 

A MUTUAL ENDOWMENT SOCIETY of the CITY of NORFOLK. 

Chartered by the Legislatures of Virginia and North Carolina. 
REORGANIZED SEPTEMBER, 1884. 
( Col. ALEX. SAVAGE, Superintendent. 
Officers : \ A. E. HALL, Treasurer. 

( E. T. POWELL, Secretary. 

GEO. R ATKINSON, JR., 

GENERAL INSURANCE AGENT, 

316 HIGH STREET, PORTSMOUTH, Va. 
^"Policies issued at lowest rates in first-class English and American companies. 

BURK <3c CO., 

The Clothiers and Gents' Furnishers, 

Manufacturers on an extensive scale of 

FIRST-CLASS GARMENTS, 

112 AND 114 MAIN STREET, - - - NORFOLK, VA. 

EDWARD RAUSCHERT, 

Watchmaker and Jeweler, 

DEALER IN CLOCKS, WATCHES AND JEWELRY. 

No. 227 HIGH St. (old No. 55), PORTSMOUTH, VA. 
' Repairing done at short notice, 



A. V. PEARCE, 

DEALER IN 

FINS BOOT'S AND SHOES. 

A FINE STOCK OF HATS, TRUNKS AND VALISES. 
309 High St., Opposite Oxford Hall, Portsmouth, Va. 

Dr. F. A. WALKE. J. N. WILLIAMS. 

WALKE & WILLIAMS, 

DEALERS IN 

mas, rains, oiks, »©# 

Corner Water St. and Roanoke Sqr., Norfolk, Ya. 



if 4 ifff'T .lips mr 

L^JH&jyjEki^ JUL 



,# JMoMUilfl 



DEALER IN 

Scrap and Damaged Cotton, Old Metals, Rags & Bones. 

HIGHEST MARKET PRICES PAID. 

Nos. 1 38 and 1 40 Water Street, - NORFOLK, VA. 



TO NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. 171 

The Dismal Swamp Lottery Co., 

FOR THE EXTENSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF 
DISMAL SWAMP CANAL, 

NORFOLK, VIRGIN"]®., 

The franchise of this enterprise is based upon the charter granted by the Leg- 
islature of the State to the Dismal Swamp Canal Company, and its legality has 
been fairly tested before the Courts. 

The object in view is the "improvement and extension" of the Canal, recog- 
nized to be one of the most important works of internal improvement now 
claiming the support of the business community. 

With proper encouragement of this enterprise, lawfully inaugurated by the 
Company, it is believed that the Canal, connecting the waters of Virginia and 
North Carolina, can be so^ enlarged in capacity and extended in reach, as to 
add vastly to its great worth. 

Information upon any subject relating to the enterprise will be promptly given 
upon application to _ _ 

CEO. T. ROGERS, 

207 Main Street, NORFOL K, VA. 

JOHN C. ASBURY, 

ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW 
AND NOTARY PUBLIC. 

CORNER BANK AND MAIN STREETS. 

pg° Close attention given to all busine?s. 



JOHN C. BAKER, 
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW. 

KOOM 4, ACADEMY OF, MUSIC, MAIN St., NORFOLK, Va. 
^-Notary Public and Commission er of Deeds for State of North Caro l ina. 

RICHARD H. BAKER & SON, 

ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELLORS AT LAW, 

LOWENBERG BUILDING, MAIN STREET, NORFOLK. 
REFERENCES: Citizens and Marine Banks : Bank of C ommerce, Norfolk. 



BORLAND & WILLCOX, 

Will practice in the State and Federal Courts of Norfolk and the surrounding 
Country, and in the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia, in Richmond, Va. 

T R. BORLAND, T. H. WILLCOX, 

Attorney for the Commonwealth, ^SSffiSK or SSSS&g* 

REFERENCES: Marine Bank, Norfolk ; National Bank ; Home Savings Bank, and other 
Banking institutions of Norfolk, Va. 



172 GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL GUIDE 

L. HARMANSON. JAMES E. HEATH. 

Harmanson & Heath, 

ATTORNEYS AT LAW. 

OFFICES IN BUILDING 57 MAIN St. (opposite Atlantic Hotel), NORFOLK, Va. 
JAS. G. HOLLADAY. JOHN NEELY. 

HOLLADAY & NEELY. 

ATTORNEYS AT LAW. 

(UllCix • 104 MAIN St., NORFOLK. 
u,,lt c» • 407 COURT St., PORTSMOUTH. 

^"Practice in all the Courts, State and Federal, of Cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth; in the 
Courts of the adjoining- Counties and in the Supreme Court of Appeals. 
References : Norfolk National Bank. Marine Bank. 

~ R C. MARSHALL" 
Attorney at Law, 

NO. 209 HIGH STREET, PORTSMOUTH, Va, 

E^P Practices in State and Federal Courts. 



THOMAS NORRIS, Jr., 

ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW. 

E3P Careful attention given to business. NORFOLK, VA. 



RICHAKD WALKE. WM. W. OLD. 

WALEE & OLD, 

ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELLORS AT LAW, 

OFFICES : Lowenbergs New Building, Main Street, opposite the Post Office, 

NORFOLK, \ T A.. 

References : The Citizens, Marine and other Banks of the City of Norfolk, Merchants and 
Farmers Bank of Portsmouth, C. W. Grandy & Son, Norfolk, Va., R. T.- Wilson; & Co., New 
York. 



H. L. WORTHINQTON, 

(For eight years Deputy Clerk City Courts), 

Attorney at Law and Commissioner in Chancery, 

VIRGINIAN BUILDING, NORFOLK, Va. 

J^*" Particular attention given to Conveyancing of Real Estate and Exami- 
nation of Titles. Collections promptly attended to. 



F. A. JETER, Surgeon Dentist, 

2 I 8 Main Street (Opposite Purcell House.) 
Practitioner of Dentistry for 25 years in Richmond, Va. I use all the late approved ap- 
pliances in filling', and extract teeth without pain. All gold worfe a specialty. Roots crowned 
with elegance without pain, with latest improved crowns. Sets teeth on gold, rubber, oellti- 
loid or continuous gum work that cannot be surpassed for beauty, mastication or comfort to 
wearer. I am inserting skeleton plates that do not cover the roof of the mouth; also lining 
rubber plates with gold at little more expense, and more healthful and pleasant to the tissues 
of the mouth. All work warranted. Uive me a call. Chloroform, gas and cocaine used at 
my discretion. 



INDEX. 



General Subjects, 



Page. 

Albemarle & Chesap'ke Canal. The 27 

Bright Prospect, A 50 

Chesapeake & OhioR. R., The 37 

Climate, The 43 

Conclusion 57 

Corn 48 

Dismal Swamp Canal, The 15 

Early Days 5 

First Railroad, The 23 

Geographical 20 

Gosport Navy Yard Established... 16 

Historical Sketch 5 

Imports 50 

Incorporated as a City 19 

Introductio-n 5 

Local Press, The 56 

Lumber 41 

Mineral Wealth 36 

N. Y. Phila. & Norfolk R. R., The 32 

Norfolk & Ocean View R. R. , The 87 

Norfolk & Va. Beach R. R.. The. ... 38 

Norfolk & Western R. R.. The 30 

Norfolk Established as a Town 11 



Page. 



Norfolk Southern R. R., The 

Other Railroads 

Oysters 

Peanuts 

Principal Industries 

Railroad Facilities, Our 

Rapid Progress 

Recreations , 

Recuperation 

Retrospective 

Revolutionary War, The 

Seaboard & Roanoke R. R., The... 

Ship Building Facilities 

Soldiers' Home, The 

Stock Raising 

Suggestion, A 

Summary 

Transportation Lines 

Trucking 

War Between the States, The 

War of 1812, The 

Wrecking 

Yellow Plague, The 



37 
38 

42 
41 
51 
30 
18 
56 
28 
22 
15 
32 
52 
44 
35 
57 
:,4 
3!' 
47 
27 
18 
54 
25 



Illustrations. 



Page. 

Am. Fertilizing Co's Warehouse... 32 

Ames & Stevens' Fur. Warehouse 38 

Atlantic Hotel, Norfolk 17 

Bird's Eye View of Norfolk Harbor 20 

Blue Ridge Springs 53 

Citizens' Bank, Norfolk 36 

City Hall, Norfolk 22 

Conf 'derate Monumen t, Ports mouth 1 5 

Custom House, Norfolk 23 

Disciples' Church, Norfolk 26 

Dobie, R. A. & Co's Com. House... 40 

Entrance to Norfolk Harbor 6 

Freeman. Lloyd, Mason & Dryden's 

Fertilizer Factory 2!) 

Frey Bros.' Box Factory. Berkley 41 

General View of Norfolk Harbor... 13 

Gov's Residence, Soldiers' Home... 45 

Home Savings Bank, Norfolk .">.-> 

Hospital of St. Vincent de Paul... 35 

Hotel at Roanoke 43 

Main St., Norfolk, From Bank St... 24 

Main St. , Norfolk, From Market S'q 51 

Main St., Norfolk, Looking East... 34 

Main St., Norfolk, Looking West 14 



Page. 



Market Square, Norfolk 16 

Masonic Temple, Norfolk 28 

Norfolk Academv 39 

Norfolk & Wt-stern R R. Station... 11 

Norfolk College for Young Ladies 37 

Norfolk National Bank 30 

Norfolk Steam Bakery 47 

Norfolk Storage Co*s Warehouse... 18 

Ocean House , Portsmouth 1 ' ' 

"Old St. Paul's," Norfolk 7 

Post Office, Norfolk 23 

Purcell House, Norfolk 9 

Queen Street Market, Norfolk 4:> 

Seaboard Cotton Compress 44 

Soldiers* Home, Hampton 21 

Tilley's Planing Mills, Berkley 33 

Upshur Guano Co's Factory Berk'y 25 
United States Naval Hospital, 

Portsmouth 8 

View From Custom House, Norfolk 1 2 

Virginia Beach Hotel 27 

Ward Memorial Hall, S'ld's Home 31 

Water St., Norfolk, Looking East 42 

Wharves of Norfolk, The 10 



174 



Index. 



£rafc>e Notices. 



Page. 

Agricultural Implements 166 

Agriculture and Real Estate 142 

Bakeries 140 

Banks and Bankers 81 

Books, Stationery and Paper 157 

Builders' Materials 159 

Business Exchanges, Our 60 

Coal, Wood and Ice 135 

Cotton and Commission 114 

Dry Goods and Notions 165 

Export Coal Trade, Our 96 

Export Trade, Our 109 

Fertilizers 88 

Furniture, China and Glassware. . 146 
Groceries 137 



Page. 



Hotels and Restaurants 

Iron Works, Foundries and Marine 

Railways 

Lumber, Staves, etc 

Miscellaneous 

Paanuta 

Professional Cards 

Railroad nnd Steamboat Supplies. . 

Railroads 

Schools and Colleges 

Seedsmen 

Steamship and Steamboat Lines.... 
Stoves, Hardware, Tinware, &c... 

Tobacco, Cigars, etc 

Wines and Liquors 



104 

127 
100 
169 
132 
171 
152 

62 
120 
151 

69 
152 
160 
160 



announcements. 



Academical Institute 122 

Adams, F. W., Manager 161 

Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal. 80 

Allen, W. F. & Co 138 

Allen, W. F. & Son 161 

American Fertilizing Co 90 

Ames & Stevens 147 

Armstrong, G. & Sons 103 

Asbury, J. C 171 

Atkinson, Geo. R., Jr 170 

Atlantic Coast Line 68 

Atlantic Hotel 107 

Baker, John C 171 

Baker, R. H. & Son 171 

Baltimore Steam Packet Co 76 

Bank of Commerce 85 

Bank of Portsmouth 87 

Bank Saloon 162 

Barbour, J. W. Co • ■ 103 

Barrett, G. & R 139 

Barry, Jas. E., President 85 

Baxter, B. F. & Co 163 

Bav Line 76 

Beil, Irvine & Co 119 

Bell. Norman, Supt. and Sect'y 61 

Bergner & Engel Brewing Co 161 

Bigbie, J. H. & Co 139 

Bishop, C. R. &. Co 156 

Blackwell's Durham Tobacco Co. Cover 

Blue Ridge Springs 108 

Borland & Willcox 171 

Bowden, Geo. E , President 86 

Brambleton Floral Co 164 

Brown, Ben. R. & Co 105 

Brown, Phil. F 108 

Burk& Co 170 

Burruss, Son & Co 86 

Carman Lumber Co 102 

Castner & Co 99 

Chesapeake & Ohio Railway 66 

Christian Brotherhood 170 

Citizens' Bank 83 

Clyde's Steam Lines 77 



Clyde, Wm. P. & Co . 77 

College of Phy's and Surge, Bait. 125 
Cooke, R. B , Gen. Pass. & Frt. Agt. 67 

Culpeper & Turner, Agents 75 

Dalton, A. J 162 

Davis, M. L. T. & Co 138 

Davis, M. L. T., President 113 

Denby, W. D.. Superintendent 113 

Dilworth, W. J. & Co 140 

Dismal Swamp Canal and Steamers 79 

Dismal Swamp Lottery Co 171 

Dobie, R. A. & Co 117 

Dodson, R. S. , Proprietor 107 

Doyle, Walter H. , Cashier 83 

Duval, Geo. W. & Co 129 

Elizabeth Iron Works 128 

Etheredge & Brooks 118 

Farrel & Co 148 

Fentress & O'Brien 166 

Franklin, W. S., Auditor Claims & 

Expenses 65 

Freeman, E. B., Sec'y 60 

Freeman, Lloyd, Mason, & Dryden 93 

Frey Bros 103 

Fuller, H. W., Gen. Pass. Agt 66 

Gamage, John O. & Sons 159 

Gaskins & Sturtevant 150 

Goodridge, Field & Co 119 

Goodwin. O. B 131 

Graves, W. A 129 

Griffin, John T. , President 87 

Groner, V. D , Agent 78 

Gurley & Bro Back inside Cover 

Haas, Sol., Traffic Manager 68 

Hardy, Caldwell, Cashier 84 

Harmanson & Heath 172 

Harrington. H. P.. Manager 106 

Hatton, E. Alex., Cashier 87 

Hey,C. H 170 

Hines S. H. &. Co 150 

Hodgdon & Spencer Co 91 

Holladay & Neely 172 

Holmes & Weaver 155 



Ikdex. 



175 



Page. 

Home Savings Bank 86 

Howard & Odend'hal 155 

Hudgins, H. C. Gen. Ft. & Pas' Agt. 68 

Hughes, W. H 149 

Hume & Parker 158 

Hume, R. G. & Bro 157 

Hunter, J. W. & Co 165 

Irvine, W. F., President, Front inside 
Cover. 

James, Dr. M. L., Dean 123 

Jeter, Dr. F. A 172 

Johnson, W. P. & Co 165 

Johnston, Robert 157 

Jones, Bain & Co 95 

King, M. K., General Manager. ... 68 

King, W. C, Agent 140 

Klepper, Joseph 107 

Lamb, Wm. & Co 99 

Lamb, Wm. & Co., Agents 99 

Lindsey, E. C. & Co 145 

Lowe, John Z 139 

Mahoney, J. & E 162 

Mapp & Co 154 

Marine Bank 85 

Marshall, R. C 172 

Maryland Lying-in Asylum 126 

Mayer & Co 153 

Medical College of Virginia 123 

Merchants' & Farmers' Bank 87 

Merchants' & Manufacturers' Ex'ge 60 
Merchants' & Miners' Trans. Co. . . 78 

Merriam, G. & C. & Co 159 

Miller, H. T. & Co 163 

Moritz, I. & Co 163 

Murray, K. C 149 

Myers & Co 113 

McCabe, W. Gordon, Head Master 121 
McCarrick, J. W. , Gen. Soth'n Agt. 77 

McCullough, A. A 100 

McHugh, John& Go 162 

Mclntyre, F. P 149 

National Brass Works 131 

New Purcell Bar & Billiard Room. 162 

New Purcell House 105 

N. Y., Phila.. & Norfolk Railroad... 67 

Niemeyer & Co 119 

Norfolk & Portsmouth Cotton Ex.. 61 

Norfolk & Western Railroad 64 

Norfolk College For Young Ladies 121 
Norfolk Importing & Exporting Co 113 
Norfolk Iron Railing & M'f'g Co.... 131 

Norfolk Iron Works 129 

Norfolk National Bank 84 

Norfolk Southern Railroad Co . 68 

Norfolk Storage Co 133 

Norris, Thomas, Jr 172 

Nottingham & Wrenn 136 

Nottingham, Wrenn & Styron 94 

Ocean House 106 

Old Dominion Steamship Co 75 

Oliver. W. H. & Son 166 

Opie, Dr. Thomas, Dean 125 

Page, Hugh N., Acting Cashier 85 

Payne, W. T., Forwarding Agent... 65 



Page. 

Pearce, A. V 170 

Percy, H. C, Cashier 86 

Perry, J. W. & Co 119 

Peters, Wm. H., President 83 

Pettit, Chas. W 128 

Pope, A., Gen. Pass. & Ticket Agt. 64 
Portsmouth Male & Female High 

School 122 

Potomac Steamboat Co 78 

Powell, E T., Sec'y 170 

Purcell House 105 

Ramsay, C. G , President 84 

Randall, W. , Agent 76 

Rauschert, E 170 

Reid, Chas. & Son 92 

Reid, James & Co 141 

Reynolds, Ben j., Supt 164 

Roanoke, Norfolk and Baltimore 

Steamboat Co Back inside Cover 

Roberts, Henry, Superintendent.. . 79 

Roper, John L. , President 121 

Royster & Strudwick 94 

Rogers, Geo. T. , Manager 171 

Sale, Harry 162 

Sands, Jos. H., Gen. Manager 64 

Saunders, Rev. R. M., Principal 121 

Savage, Alex., Supt 170 

Seaboard Air Line 68 

Smith, C. W., Gen. Manager 66 

Smith, H. M. & Co 168 

Somerville, Thos. &Sons 131 

Spencer, J. C, President 91 

Stires, R. W 119 

Stokes, W. H., Principal 122 

Tait, George & Son 151 

Tappey & Steel 130 

Taylor, Geo. W. & Co 135 

Taylor, W. H., President 85 

Taylor, Washington, Secretary 113 

Thomas, John L 131 

Tilley,E. M 101 

Todd, D. W., Jr., cS: Co 163 

Toomer, J. II., Cashier 87 

Trant, Trugien & Hill 136 

Upshur, C. L, President 90 

Upshur Guano Co... Front inside Cover 
University School, Petersburg.. . . . 124 

Virginia Bag Factory 156 

Va., Tenn. & Ga. Air Line 65 

Voight, R. P. & Co 1 39 

Walke&Old 172 

Walke& Williams. 170 

Walters & Co 134 

Warren's Seed Store 151 

Watts, Legh R., President 87 

Webster's Unabridged Dictionary . 159 
Whitehead, H. C, Sec. & Treas.... 79 

White, S.R. & Bro 167 

White W. N L55 

Widgeon, J. M., Supt 60 

Wilkinson, W. S., Cashier 85 

Worthington. 11. 1 172 

Wrenn. A. & Son 161 

Wynne, R. H., Secretary 121 



176 



Index. 



Classified llnfcey to Business announcements. 



Page. 
Agricultural Implements. 

Smith, H. M. & Co 168 

White, S. R. & Bro 167 

Architectural Iron Works. 
Norfolk Iron Railing & Mfg. Co.... 131 

Asylums. 
Maryland Lying-in Asylum 126 

A ttorneys-af-Law. 

Asbury, J. C 171 

Baker, J. C 171 

Baker, Richard H. & Son 171 

Borland & Willcox 171 

Harmanson & Heath 172 

Holladay & Neely 172 

Marshall. R. C 1 72 

Norris, Thos. Jr 172 

Walke& Old 172 

Worthington, H. L 172 

Agents — Coal. 

Lamb, Wm. & Co.., <»9 

Bag Manufacturers. 
Bishop, Car terR. & Co., Petersburg 156 

Bakers and Confectioners. 
Reid, James & Co Ill 

Banks and Bankers. 

Bank of Commerce 85 

Bank of Portsmouth 87 

Burruss, Son & Co 86 

Citizens' Bank 83 

Home Savings Bank 86 

Marine Bank. 85 

Merchants' and Farmers" Bank 87 

Norfolk National Bank 84 

Barrel Dealers. 
Stires, R. W 119 

Belt Makers — Gum and Leather. 
Mayer & Co 153 

Billiard and Pool Rooms. 

Atlantic Hotel 107 

Klepper, Joseph 107 

New Purcell House 162 

Ocean House 106 

Booksellers and Stationers. 

Hume & Parker 158 

Hume, R G. & Bro 157 

Johnston, Robert 157 



Page. 

Brass Works. 
Somerville, Thos. & Sons 131 

Brewers and Bottlers. 
Bergner & Engel 161 

Builders' Materials. 

Gamage, John O. & Sons 159 

McCullough, A. A 100 

Trant, Trugien & Hill 136 

Butter, Cheese and Provisions. 

Bigbie, J. H.&Co 139 

Dilworth, Wm. J. & Co 140 

Canal Companies. 

Albemarle and Chesapeake 80 

Dismal Swamp 79 

Carpets and Oil Cloths. 

Ames & Stevens 147 

Mclntyre. F. P 149 

Carriage, Buggy and Wagon 

Builders. 

Wrenn, A. & Son 164 

China, Glass and Queen sware. 

Ames and Stevens 147 

Hughes, W. H 149 

Cigar Manufacturers. 
Baxter, B. F. & Co 



163 



Cigar and Tobacco Dealers. 

Baxter, B F. & Co 163 

Moritz, I 163 

Todd, D. W. Jr., & Co 163 

Clothing. 
Burk&Co 170 



Coal Exporters. 
Castner & Co., Limited 



99 



Coal and Wood Dealers. 



Boot and Shoe Dealers. 
Pearce, A. V 



170 



Castner & Co 99 

Frey Bros 103 

McCullough, A. A 100 

Niemeyer & Co 119 

Nottingham & Wrenn 186" 

Taylor. Geo. W. & Co 135 

Trant, Trugien & Hill 136 

Coffee and Spice Mills. 

King, W. C, Agent 140 



Index. 



177 



Page 

< 'ommission Merchants. 

Bell, Irvine & Co 119 

Dnl)ie. R. A. & Co 117 

Etheredge & Brook* 11* 

Good ridge. Field & «:»> Ill* 

Gurley & Br>> Back Inside Cover 

Niemever & Co 119 

Perrv.J. W. & Co 119 

Stire's, R. W 119 

Confectioners. 

Reid, James & Co 141 

Consuls — Foreign. 

Lamb, Wm. Germany, Sweden, and 

Norway " 99 

Myers. Barton, Great Britain, 

Netherlands and Brazil 113 

Cotton Factors. 

Dobie. R. A & Co 117 

Etheredge & Brooks 118 

Niemever. & Co 119 

Perrv,J. W. & Co 119 

Royster& Strudvviek 91 

Dentists. 
Jeter, F. A 172 

Dictionaries. 
Webster's— G. & C. Merriam & Co. 159 
Druggists — Wholesale and Retail. 

Walke & Williams 170 

Dry Goods — Wholesale. 

Johnson, W. P. & Co 165 

Hunter, J. W. & Co 105 

Exchanges. 

Merchants' & Manufacturers' of 
Norfolk & Portsmouth, E. B. 

Freeman. Secretary 

J. M. Widgeon. Superintendent. 00 

Norfolk and Portsmouth Cotton 
Exchange, Norman Bell, Super- 
intendent and Secretary 61 

Engines Boilers &c. 

Duval, Geo. W. & Co 129 

Elizabeth Iron Works 128 

Goodwin, O. B 131 

Pettit, Chas. W 128 

Tappey& Steel 130 

Fancy Goods and Notions. 

Hunter, J. W. & Co 

Fertilizer Manufacturers and 
Dealers. 

American Fertilizing Co 90 

Etheredge & Brooks 118 



Page. 

Freeman, Lloyd, Mason & Drydt-n. 93 

Hodgdon & Spencer Co 91 

.lours. Bain <£ Co 9"i 

Niemey«r & Co 119 

Nottingham Wrenn & Styron 94 

Reid, <'has. & Son ' «)'2 

Royster& Strudwick 94 

Upshur Guano Co. Front Inside Cover 

Florists and Seedsmen. 

Brambleton Floral Co 164 

Tait, Geo. & Son Ifil 

Warren's Seed Store l- r >l 

Furniture Dealers. 

Ames & Stevens 117 

Mclutyre.F. P 149 

Grocers — Wholesale. 

Allen, W. F. & Co 138 

Barrett, G. &R 139 

Bigbie, J. H. & Co 139 

Davis, M. L.T.& Co 138 

Lowe, John Z 139 

Voight, R. P.&Co 139 

Gun & Locksmiths. 
White, W. N 155 

Hay, Grain & Mill Feed. 

Etheredge & Brooks 118 

Niemever &Co 119 

Trant, Trugien& Hill 136 

Guano and Chemicals — Importers. 

American Fertilizing Co 90 

Hodgdon & Spencer Co 91 

Reid, Chas & Son 92 

Upshur Guano Co. ..Front Inside Cover 

Hotels. 

Atlantic 107 

Blue Ridge Springs 108 

New Purcell House l <,: ; 

Ocean House ln,; 

Ice Dealers. 

Nottingham & Wrenn 13 6 

Taylor, Geo. W. &Co 135 

Insurance Agents. 

Atkinson, Geo. R. Jr 170 

Insurance Companies — Life. 

Christian Brotherhood 170 

Iron Founders and Machinists, 

Duval, Geo. W. & Co 129 

Goodwin, O. B 131 

Norfolk Iron Railing & M'f'g. Co.. 131 

Pettit, Chas. W 128 

Tappey&Steel 130 

White, S. R. & Bro 167 



178 



ftSTDEX. 



Page. 

Junk Dealers. 
J Hey.Chas. H 170 

Lime, Plaster & Cement. 

Barbour, J. W. & Co 103 

Etheredge & Brooks 118 

Gamage, John O. & Son 159 

McCullough, A. A 100 

Trant, Trugien & Hill 136 

Lotteries. 
Dismal Swamp Lottery Co 171 

Lubricating & Illuminating Oils. 

Goodwin, O. B 131 

Mayer & Co 153 

Walke& Williams 170 

Lumber Dealers. 

Armstrong, G. & Son 103 

Barbour, J.W.'&Co 103 

Carman Lumber Co 102 

Graves, Wm. A 129 

Gurlev & Bro Back Inside Cover 

McCullough, A. A 100 

Tilley, Edward M 101 

Marine Hallways. 

Graves, Wm. A 129 

Thomas. John L 131 

Mechanics' Tools. 

Mayer & Co 153 

Mills — Saw and Planing. 

Armstrong, G. & Son 103 

Carman Lumber Co 102 

Graves, Wm. A 129 

Tilley, E. M 101 

Notions and Hosiery — Wholesale. 

Hunter, J. W. & Co 16r» 

Miller, H. T. & Co 163 

Oil Dealers. 

Goodwin, O. B 131 

Mayer & Co 153 

Walke & Williams 170 

Painters — House & Sign. 
Fentress & O'Brien ... 166 

Paper — Wholesale. 
Johnston, Robert 157 

Peanuts — Wholesale. 

Norfolk Storage Co 133 

Walters & Co. .:. 134 

Pianos and Organs. 

Ames & Stevens 147 

Hume & Parker U8 

Hume, R. G. & Bro 157 



Page. 

Plumbers' Supplies. 
Somerville, Thos. & Son 131 

Railroads. 

Atlantic Coast Line 68 

Chesapeake & Ohio K6 

New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk (IT 

Norfolk & Western 64 

Norfolk Southern 68 

Seaboard Air Line 68 

Virginia, Tennesee & Georgia Air 

Line 65 

Railroad, Steamboat, Mill & Ma- 
chinists Supplies. 
Mayer & Co 153 

Real Estate Dealers. 
Lindsey, E. C. & Co 145 

Reporters — Short- Hand. 
Murray, K. C 149 

Restaurants. 

Klepper, Joseph 107 

Sale, Harry 162 

Sacks. 

Virginia Bag Factory 156 

Saddlers & Harness Makers. 
Wrenn, A. & Son 164 

Sailmakers. 

Oliver, W. H. & Son 166 

Safes. 
Farrel<£ Co... 148 

Saloons and Bar Rooms. 

Atlantic Hotel 107 

Bank Saloon 162 

Klepper, Joseph 107 

New Purcell House 162 

Ocean House 106 

Schools d- Colleges. 
College of Physicians & Surgeons, 

Baltimore 125 

Medical College of Virginia 123 

Norfolk College for Yonng Ladies. 121 

Stokes.. W. H., Portsmouth 122 

University School. Petersburg 124 

Salt Importers. 
Norfolk Importing & Exporting Co. 113 

Seedsmen. 

Tait, Geo. & Son 151 

Warren's Sie 1 Store 151 

Ship Brokers. 

Lamb, Wm. & Co 99 

Myers&Co 113 



Index. 

Pagb. 
Shipwrights. 

(haves, Wm. A 129 

Thomas, John L 131 

Shirts & Drawers — Manufacturers. 

Hunter, J. W. & Co 165 

Miller, H. T. & Co 163 

Staves (I/id Shingles. 

Armstrong, G. & Son 101 

( iurlev & Bi o Back Inside Cover 

McCullough.A. A 100 

Tilley.E. M 101 

Steam Pumps. 

Mayer & Co 

' Somerville, Thos. & Sons 131 

Steamship and Steamboat Agents. 

Culpeper & Turner 75 

Groner, V. D 78 

Gurley & Bro Back Inside Cover 

Lamp, Wra.&Co 99 

McCarrick, Jas. W. ...• 77 

Mvers& Co 113 

Randall, Wm 76 

Roberts, Henry 79 

Steamship and Steamboat Companies. 

Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal Co. 80 

Baltimore Steam racket Co. ... 76 

Bay Line 76 

Clyde's Steam Lines 77 

Dismal Swamp Canal & Steamers.. 79 

Merchants' & Miners' Trans. Co — 78 

Old Dominion Steamship Co 75 

Potomac Steamboat Go 78 

Roanoke. Norfolk & Baltimore 

Steamboat Co Back Inside Cover 

Stoves and Tinware. 
Holmes & Weaver 15") 



17'.) 

Pagj . 

Howard & Odend'hal 155 

Mapp & Co b r 'i 

Summer Resorts. 

Blue Ridge Springs 1" w 

Tin and Start Iron Workers. 

Mapp & Co 151 

Tobacco Manufactun rs. 
Black well's Durham Tobacco Co. Cover 

Tobacconists — Wholesale. 

Baxter, B. F. & Co 163 

Moritz, I. &Co 163 

Todd, D. W. Jr., & Co 163 

Type Writers. 

Murray, K. C 149 

Undertakers. 

Gaskins & Sturtevant 15(1 

Hines, S. H.& Co lfi 

Watchmakers and Jewelers. 

Rauschert, Edward 170 

Wines and Liquors — Wholesale. 

Allen, Wm. F. & Son 161 

Dalton, Andrew J 162 

Mahoney, J.& E 162 

McHugh, John & Co l< ; 2 

Todd, D. W. Jr., & Co 163 

Wood and Willow Ware. 
King, W. C, Agent 1 *'» 

Vegetable d : Fruit Box Manufac 
turers. 

Armstrong, G. & Son 103 

Frey Bros 108 




Jhingles and Lumber! 

CURLEY * BRO., 

General Commission Merchants, 



ay r ,Ef V~ -1«cuulloi 

Carry in stock the largest line of Cypress Heart and Sap Shingles, rived and 
sawed, in the Norfolk market— sizes, 3 to 7 inches wide and 20 to 24 inches long. 
The durable and lasting qualities of Cypress Shingles make them a cheaper roof 
covering than any other material. Can supply on demand in small, or cargo lots 
at lowest market rates, and load at our wharves free of expense to the buyer, 
giving quick dispatch to vessels or steamers. 

FETIDQllTWEI^S FOI^ CYPRES JSjnjV T GLE$. 

Laths of pine and cypress always on hand, and lots of consigned lumber gen- 
erally in yard, direct from the mills. 

Bills of LUMBER cut to order at short notice, suitable for building and farm 
purposes. Agents for several large mills give us rare facilities in this line. 

Our business being strictly COMMISSION, we can give best terms to buyers. 

Liberal advances made on consignments of COTTON, TAR, LUMBER, HAY 
and Country Produce of all kinds. 

Prompt returns to shippers, and all charges made upon customary usages. 



Steamboat %inc to IRoanofce IRiver. 

GURLEY & BRO. are Agents for the New Iron Steamers 

ceppe, mete0r Tip flfljaniTep 

OF THE 

Roanoke, Norfolk and Baltimore Steamboat Company, 

FORMING A TRI- WEEKLY LINE FROM 
NORFOLK TO THE ROANOKE RIVER, 

WINDSOR, and all landings on the CASHIE river, and Takboro, and all sta- 
tions on the Albemarle and Raleigh R. R. 

Freight at lowest rates, and received daily at our Pier at McCullough's wharf. 











CD 




CO 



> 



H - a § u o 

<* < f* ^ g 



o 




w 



7i 



o 

03 



(A 

O 
O 





c3 



!.§ ^ 



bJD-S 



^H CD 

J 2 

-^ bo 



2 



^3 



yj 



CB 
O 
Q 

.2-§ 

O (8 

■=£ 

5 o 

E 

o © 

O ft 

c° 

° ft 

2 y 

o o 

CC C 
O O 

^ a 

ft 

0) 

o c 
o s 

o © 

a-S 

C «) 

Jo 

* 3 

£ a 

— M) 

' c 
©._ 

■M 1- 

E« 

— o 

c 
o 

C0 



O 

-p 
■p— < 

a 
o 

G) 

h 





u 



00 

H 

PQ 

> 

H 



